Pakistan in the final after beating France on penalties

Pakistan advanced to the Fih Hockey Men’s Nations Cup final after defeating France 3–2 in a tense penalty shooting, after a time of 3 to 3 in regular time at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on June 20.

The game delivered a drama in each quarter, since both teams exchanged goals and impulse in an exciting semifinal confrontation. Pakistan now moves to the final, where he will face the winner of the second semifinal between South Korea and New Zealand.

The first quarter ended without goals despite four corners of penalty for France, who finally broke in the 25th minute with an acute field goal by Xavier Esmenjaud. Victor Charlet added a second to Les Bleus shortly after part time, leaving Pakistan with a two -goal deficit.

What followed was an energetic response of the green shirts.

In a period of five minutes during the third quarter, Afraz turned on the return when converting a frog cross Waheed Ashraf. Moments later, Sufyan Khan matched with a well -placed drag from a penalty corner.

Muhammad Hammadudin then limited the change with a close range end, putting Pakistan 3–2 ahead in the last quarter.

France pressed strongly and was rewarded in the dying minutes when Charlet converted another penalty corner to level the scores. Pakistan had a late opportunity to secure the game from a penalty corner in the 59th minute, but Suffyan Khan’s attempt was blocked.

With the game dead in 3–3, the contest was established in a penalty shooting. Pakistan kept the nerve for the edge of France 3–2 in the tiebreaker.

Afraz, Shahid Hannan and Rana Waheed Ashraf turned their efforts, while goalkeeper Hammadudin Muhammad made a crucial salvation to seal the victory.

The victory sees Pakistan reserve its place in the final of the Cup of Nations 2024–25 and renews the hope of its resurgence on the global stage. The final will take place on June 21 in Kuala Lumpur.