Pakistan beat China 8-3 as Japan defeat Canada at Sultan of Johor Cup
Pakistan recovered from a 3-1 deficit, while Japan won 8-1 ahead of their meeting with hosts Malaysia in the under-21 hockey tournament.
Pakistan and Japan each scored eight goals in victories at the under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup at Johor's Taman Daya Hockey Stadium. Pakistan overcame China 8-3, while Japan conceded only once against Canada.
Seeking their first title in the competition, Pakistan were 3-1 down after 25 minutes before recovering. Ullah Saif scored in the 13th minute, followed by Muhammad Farooq in the 30th. Rana Waleed Sami, Fayyaz Hamza, Ghulam Mustafa and Muhammad Usman also scored before Asam Haider added goals in the 55th and 57th minutes.
Tournament newcomers China had taken the lead through Liang Haolin's goals in the 15th and 18th minutes and Wang Yubo's effort in the 25th.
Japan controlled their match from the outset, with eight players scoring: Shota Hanayama, Yuto Higuchi, Seia Yamada, Ninomiya Rei, Chihiro Furusawa, Shogo Sasaki, Matsuki Mori and Ryosuke Shinohara. Kale Simonson scored Canada's only goal in the 51st minute as the Canadians made their tournament debut.
Japan coach Yoshihiro Anai said he was satisfied with how his players converted their opportunities and wanted further improvement ahead of facing hosts Malaysia. Japan qualified for the 2027 Junior World Cup by finishing fifth at the Junior Asia Cup in Inner Mongolia, China.
