Sports Bulletin

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Great Britain beat Pakistan 5-1 in the 13th Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 being held in Johor, Malaysia.Pakistan started the game with an impressive performance but, unfortunately, missed several clear goal opportunities. On the other hand, Great Britain outplayed Pakistan, scoring five goals to Pakistan’s one. For Great Britain, Jonny and Henry scored two goals each, while Caddy scored one. Pakistan only goal came from Mohammad Sufyan Khan through a penalty corner.The Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will play its third match against traditional rivals India on October 14, fourth match against New Zealand on October 15, and fifth match against Australia on October 17.

Sports Bulletin ReportJohor (Malaysia): Pakistan stunned hosts Malaysia 7-2 in their opening match of the 13th Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 being played in Johor, Malaysia.Penalty corner specialist Mohammad Sufyan Khan delivered an outstanding performance, scoring three goals through penalty corners to complete a hat-trick, and was declared Man of the Match.From Pakistan’s side, Mohammad Sufyan Khan opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a penalty corner, and added another goal in the 21st minute, also from a penalty corner. The third goal was scored by captain Abdul Hannan Shahid in the 30th minute, the fourth by Nadeem Khan in the 32nd minute, the fifth again by Mohammad Sufyan Khan in the 34th minute, the sixth by Nadeem Khan in the 44th minute, and the seventh by Hamza Fayyaz in the 52nd minute. For Malaysia, Ammar and Azeemuddin scored one goal each.Upcoming Fixtures:12 October: Great Britain vs Pakistan14 October: Pakistan vs India15 October: New Zealand vs Pakistan17 October: Pakistan vs Australia

Lausanne (Switzerland): At the ongoing EuroHockey Championships 2025, following their progression into the final of the competition, Germany have qualified for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026!Germany will take on the Netherlands in the final, but as hosts of the event, Netherlands are already assured of a place at the upcoming World Cup, which leaves Germany to take the direct qualification spot available from Europe to the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026.Germany started off their EuroHockey campaign, at home in Mönchengladbach, with an absolute thriller against France in the Pool B. France held a two-goal lead going into the final ten minutes of the match but two goals from Justus Weigand and one from Gonzalo Peillat saw the hosts roar back and take all three points. A tight 1-1 draw against England followed, putting Germany firmly in command of Pool B. A final flourish in their last pool game against Poland, which they won 10-0, sent the Honamas into the semi-final as the table toppers, ahead of France who finished second in the pool.Germany were pitted against Spain in the second semi-final. Just over a month ago, Spain had pipped Germany to a World Cup qualification spot at the end of the FIH Hockey Pro League season by denying the Honamas victory in their final two matches of the season in Berlin. This time however Germany turned the tables on the Red Sticks. The Honamas were in the lead throughout the match, scoring two goals in the first quarter. Whilst they conceded a goal in the second one - putting the scoring at 2-1 at half-time - they added a third and a fourth one on the scoresheet in the last quarter, giving Spain no chance for a potential come-back.Commenting on Germany’s qualification for FIH’s flagship event, Justus Weigand said: “Obviously happy to qualify for the World Cup! After our FIH Hockey Pro League match against Spain we were a little bit disappointed. Tonight, in front of our home crowd, winning this match and qualifying for both the World Cup and the final of the EuroHockey Championship is a special feeling. Hopefully we can win the final against the Netherlands!”Germany become the sixth men’s team to qualify for the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026. Belgium and Netherlands, on account of being hosts of the event, gained direct qualification. Australia and Spain qualified through the previous two editions of the FIH Hockey Pro League. Argentina secured their qualification recently by winning the Pan American Cup. Continental championships in Asia, Africa and Oceania over the coming months will determine three more direct qualifiers for the event, with the remaining seven teams qualifying through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in 2026.(SBR)

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): After Hockey New Zealand notified the International Hockey Federation (FIH) of their decision not to participate in the next FIH Hockey Pro League Men’s season despite having won the FIH Hockey Nations Cup last month, FIH has, in accordance with the regulations, extended an invitation to the Nations Cup runners-up, namely Pakistan, to join the 2025-26 Pro League edition.The Pakistan Hockey Federation has been given a deadline of 12 August to inform FIH of their decision to accept or deny the invitation. The 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League crowned both Dutch teams, Women’s and Men’s, as champions. The upcoming season will be the seventh one of the “League of the Best”. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup Chile 2025 will see two European sides, namely Germany and Ireland, opening the show on 1 December in Santiago.On that same day, hosts Chile will start their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands, current Junior Women’s World Champions and ranked world’s number one.The pinnacle of the FIH junior women’s tournaments will feature 24 teams for the very first time. The tournament will be held from 1 to 13 December 2025 in the city of Santiago, Chile.The draw held on 12 June has determined the following Pools:Pool A: Netherlands, Japan, Chile, MalaysiaPool B: Argentina, Belgium, Zimbabwe, WalesPool C: Germany, India, Ireland, NamibiaPool D: England, South Africa, China, AustriaPool E: Australia, Spain, Canada, ScotlandPool F: United States, Korea, New Zealand, Uruguay 

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): Traditional foes, Pakistan and India, are bracketed in the same pool of the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup, which will take place in Chennai and Madurai, India, from November 28 to December 10 this year 2025. On the occasion of the draw ceremony held in Lausanne, Switzerland the six Pools of the upcoming expanded FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025, which will feature 24 teams from all over the world.Pools detail:Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, IrelandPool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, SwitzerlandPool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, ChinaPool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, NamibiaPool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, AustriaPool F: France, Australia, Korea, BangladeshFIH President Tayyab Ikram participated in the draw ceremony along with Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, Hockey India Secretary General and Cdr. RK Srivastava, Hockey India Director General. Ahead of the draw ceremony, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup! It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that. I express my gratitude to the Tamil Nadu leadership Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for welcoming the young stars to the state of Tamil Nadu into the two beautiful cities of Chennai and Madurai. This World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure, and in the city of Madurai, introduce a new state-of-art hockey stadium. I would also like to thank the Hon’ble Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Sports Minister of India Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya for seeing Hockey as a prime sport and supporting it not only in India, but also across Asia and globally.” Hockey India Secretary General, Bhola Nath Singh said: “Today marks a landmark moment for the world of hockey as we witness the pool draw for the inaugural FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, featuring 24 nations. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, for his resolute support to hockey and its players across the nation. Under his visionary leadership and that of Hon’ble Sports Minister of India Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya ji, India’s hockey landscape has gained significant momentum. We also express our sincere thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. K. Stalin ji, for his committed vision in promoting hockey both in Tamil Nadu and beyond. His dynamic leadership is further bolstered by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Udhayanidhi Stalin ji, whose initiatives in youth sports and development continue to empower the next generation. This effort would not have been possible without the mentorship and support of our elder brother, Dato Tayyab Ikram ji, whose promotion of international hockey has been invaluable. In advance of the draw, I congratulate all 24 participating teams and warmly welcome each delegation to India. We hope this event offers a memorable and enriching experience for all.”

Sports Bulletin ReportKuala Lumpur (Malaysia): Five first-half goals proved decisive for New Zealand to overwhelm Pakistan in the final of the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The dominant Black Sticks added one more goal in the second half to secure a 6-2 victory, and with that, their second consecutive title and the opportunity to step up to the top-tier FIH Hockey Pro League.In the playoff for the bronze medal, it was France who prevailed against Korea in a shootout while Wales beat hosts Malaysia to secure fifth place, and Japan came out on top in the playoff for seventh against former Nations Cup champions South Africa.Pakistan 2 - 6 New Zealand: The tone was set early, with New Zealand twice finding the back of the net in the opening minutes, only for both goals to be disallowed. Still, they kept up the pressure and eventually broke through when Scott Cosslett converted a penalty corner to open the scoring. Just as Pakistan began to finally find their rhythm and enjoy some possession, New Zealand struck again, Jonty Elmes setting up Sam Hiha to double their lead.Early in the second quarter, a long pass into the circle found Dylan Thomas, who reacted quickest to a rebound off the keeper to make it 3-0. Sean Findlay then blasted in a fourth after receiving an aerial pass just inside the circle and somehow slotting it in from the sharpest of angles.Just under 10 minutes later, the Black Sticks were at it again when a lifted ball came off the Pakistani goalkeeper, and Scott Boyde was on hand to swat it home, sending the New Zealanders into the half-time break with a commanding 5-0 lead.Left with a mountain to climb in the second half, Pakistan finally got off the mark in the 33rd minute when Moin Shakeel found the back of the net from close range. Suddenly the men in green sparked to life, creating far more chances and looking threatening. But the New Zealand defence stood firm.The Kiwis added one more goal from a penalty corner in the final three minutes of the match, Cosslett’s second successful drag flick, to rub salt in Pakistan’s wounds. Sufyan Khan then found one last consolation for Pakistan off a penalty corner of their own to make the 6-2 scoreline slightly more respectable.France 3 - 3 Korea (SO: 3-2): France and Korea reignited their rivalry in the bronze medal match, both sides seeking consolation after painful shootout defeats in the semifinals. Fittingly, their battle was once again settled in a shootout, with France emerging victorious to claim third place.The opening quarter was evenly contested until the final seconds, when Louis Haertelmeyer worked his way into the circle and crossed to Benjamin Marqué who fired into the top of the net for a 1–0 French lead. Korea hit back early in the second quarter through a powerful Jihun Yang drag flick from their first penalty corner. With just under five minutes left in the half, a French penalty corner chance went awry, but Viktor Lockwood drove the ball back into the circle with Xavier Esmenjaud’s superb deflection then restoring the lead at 2-1 before the break.France appeared to control much of the third quarter, but with just 28 seconds remaining, Korea earned their second penalty corner of the match. Dohyun Lim maintained their perfect conversion rate, firing home to make it two from two and bring the sides level once again. The Koreans then extended that record with another penalty corner goal from Yang early in the final period to take the lead for the first time. But the French responded immediately with a goal from Corentin Sellier a minute later.The Koreans earned a late penalty corner with under five minutes to go, but this time it did not go their way, and the French held their nerve to clinch the win in the ensuing shootout.Wales 2 - 1 Malaysia: Wales claimed a narrow victory over hosts Malaysia in an entertaining encounter to secure fifth place in the tournament.The first quarter saw action at both ends, with several opportunities in front of goal. It was Malaysia who capitalised in the second period, when Sayed Cholan unleashed a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner that blazed into the bottom left corner, handing the hosts a 1–0 lead.Although Wales enjoyed more possession in the second quarter, the Malaysians looked more threatening on attack. By the third period, Wales had gained control, though. With just over three minutes left in the quarter, Jack Pritchard initially mis-trapped a Welsh penalty corner but recovered quickly, took the ball into the circle, and hammered a shot towards goal. Rhys Bradshaw was perfectly positioned to deflect it in for the equaliser.Wales kept up the momentum in the final quarter, and with just over 10 minutes to play, they struck again from a penalty corner. This time Gareth Furlong fired a low drag flick into the bottom left corner to edge his side 2-1 ahead. The home team launched a late push and thought they had salvaged a dramatic equaliser with just eight seconds left on the clock. However, the goal was ruled out on review, and Wales held on for the win.Japan 2 - 1 South Africa: Japan came from a goal down to defeat former champions South Africa to avoid bottom spot in the tournament.The South Africans took an early lead in the seventh minute thanks to a Calvin Davis drag flick off his side’s second penalty corner of the match. At the other end, Japan’s first effort off a penalty corner hit the post. Just moments later, Trevor de Lora had a golden opportunity to double the South Africans’ lead when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper from a counterattack, but his shot went wide. The second quarter remained goalless largely because of the efforts of SA keeper Hendrik Kriek, who took his side to the half-time break still 1-0 up.Despite dominating possession, South Africa couldn’t make it count, with Japan’s defence holding firm. The third quarter saw two moments of brilliance from Japan that turned the game. An aerial ball from deep in their own half found Ryoma Ooka, who set up Ryosuke Shinohara for an impressive 35th-minute equaliser. Then, a clever behind-the-back flick from Kazumasa Matsumoto allowed Kosei Kawabe to blast them ahead seven minutes later. South Africa pulled their keeper in the final minute and earned a flurry of late penalty corners but, once again, couldn’t capitalise.

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): Pakistan roared back against France in the first semi-final, causing a real upset in beating Les Bleus 3-2 on penalties. Led by the mercurial creative powers of Waheeb Ashraf Rana, Pakistan will be playing for a spot in the FIH Men’s Pro League against New Zealand in the final. The Blacksticks won a penalty shootout of their own, beating Korea despite a strong comeback thanks to the impressive Korean penalty corner battery. The 3rd/4th place play-off will be a repeat of the incredible Day 1 game that finished 6-5 between France and Korea.Wales 6-4 JapanBoth sides began the 5th-8th place play-offs searching for their first win. Wales’s Fred Newbold opened the scoring on his reverse in the ninth minute, smartly beating Kisho Kuroda at his near post. Japan responded four minutes into the second quarter with a penalty corner excellently guided between ‘keeper and left-post defender by a diving Ryoma Ooka. Less than a minute later, however, and Wales had a deflection of their own after Joylon Morgan got a stick to Gareth Furlong’s penetrating slap to re-establish the Welsh lead. As the first-half neared its close, Japan won another penalty corner, one that was mis-trapped, passed back and across the circle before Koji Yamasaki volleyed a forehand hit across goal to equalise going into half-time.Two minutes into the second half and the goals started to flow even more freely. Kazumasa Matsumoto’s rifled shot clattered against the backboard to give Japan a lead and, just a few possessions later, Sam Welsh knocked in another Welsh goal to make it 3-3. The goal, coming from Jack Pritchard’s explosive spinning assist, lifted Wales to find the lead again, this time Morgan slicing a reverse bunt over the ‘keeper. Koji Yamasaki was shown a yellow card with a minute left in the third quarter and Wales capitalised, Joylon Morgan getting a bit of fortune for his hat-trick goal as his cross-goal slap pinballed its way over the goalline. The final quarter saw a Gareth Furlong drag-flick and a Kosei Kawabe consolation cancel each other out to leave the score 6-4 and send Wales through to the 5th-6th place play-off with their first win of the tournament.Malaysia 4-2 South AfricaAfter a gut-wrenching failure to qualify for Malaysia, the host nation came into the game with work to do and fans to recompense. They struck first with a minute left in the first quarter, as Syed Cholan slugged a rapid drag-flick against the backboard from Malaysia’s third penalty corner. Into the second quarter, again with a minute until the end of the period, South Africa quickly turned over a Malaysian counter-attack and sent the ball deep into the hosts’ half. A defensive fumble in the circle fell to Angelo Walstroom who confidently equalised.After gifting an equalising goal to the South Africans, Malaysia took charge of the game in the third quarter as Shafiq Hassan wrestled in a chance created by the scything carry of Chohan and good skill from Abu Kamal Azrai. Hassan created the next one himself, cutting infield and shooting before Akhimullah Anuar bumbled the ball over the line to extend the hosts’ lead. South Africa threatened another comeback in the final quarter as Carlon Mentoor’s firm slap found the bottom corner but Fitri Saari’s ended the scrappy play in the circle by restoring Malaysia’s two-goal lead. South Africa will have to wait for their first win of the tournament but will hope to get it tomorrow against Japan.France 3 (2) - 3 (3) PakistanFrance, after a strong showing in the pool stages, faced Pakistan in the first semi-final and the most exciting game of the day. The first quarter remained goalless despite five penalty corners being exchanged, one for Pakistan, four for France. In the second quarter, Xavier Esmenjaud threw himself forward with an outstretched stick to put Les Bleus in the lead, touching in a ball across goal. Early in the second half, France doubled their lead, as the inevitable Victor Charlet converted France’s fifth penalty corner to give France a real boost towards the final.Pakistan roared back into the game, however, overturning France the dominance and control as Waheed Ashraf Rana set up Afraz’s slap shot before both erupted into celebrations that marked the shift in momentum. Sufyan Khan joined the party, letting fly an unsaveable drag-flick into the top left corner and finding parity with the French. A minute later, Muhammad Hammadudin fantastically deflected in Rana’s flat reverse hit to go 3-2 up. Victor Charlet, of course, stepped up with two minutes to play for the French, as his deflected flick equalised with two minutes to go. Pakistan went on to win the penalty shootout using just four of their five attempts as France failed to convert chances even after they had wrongfooted the ‘keeper. Pakistan head to their second Nations Cup final in as many years looking to go one better than they did last year.After Waheeb Ashraf Rana’s creativity and winning penalty named him Player of the Match, he said: “We were ready for this win for a long time. 110 percent effort from the boys’ side Everything we have – we gave everything. [We are] thankful to Allah almighty for helping us. We are really proud of the team and looking forward to the finals now.”New Zealand 2 (4) - 2 (2) KoreaThe final game of the day began with two stunning goals, both from New Zealand. At the end of a relatively subdued first quarter, Scott Boyde’s lasered slap was deflected in on the turn by Jonty Elmes, who redirected the ball into the bottom right corner whilst wrongfooting Kim Jaehan in goal. Dylan Thomas one-upped his teammate however, dancing in from the sideline to turn a relatively innocuous possession into one of the goals of the tournament. After swiftly beating three Korean defenders, he sent a flick up into the roof of the net to double the Blackstick lead. From then, as Pakistan had in the game before, Korea chipped away at their opponents 2-0 lead. First to make a dent was drag-flicker Lim Dohyun who manufactured the angle needed to beat Dominic Dixon past his helpless right foot from Korea’s second penalty corner. Yang Jihun piled in on the act, rocketing his third quarter drag-flick into the bottom right and pulling scores level. The momentum flitted back and forth between the two teams until the final whistle took the sides to another penalty shootout. Kim Jaehan made a good save to deny the first Blackstick penalty but after Korea failed to convert their first two, New Zealand always had the upper hand to win the shootout and make it to the final. Korea, after a fantastic tournament already, will face France in the 3rd/4th place play-off.

ISLAMABAD (Sports Desk): Pakistan born, Rana Nawaz to lead Allince International Hockey Club team in the forthcoming World Masters Hockey European Championship (European Continental Championship), scheduled to take place in Spain in June 2025.According to details, a Holland based Alliance International Hockey Club will take part in the World Masters European Championship 2025, in which fifteen hockey teams from European countries will fight for the title including England, Spain, Wales, Scotland, Alliance International, Netherlands, Germany, France, Turkey and Ireland.The opening match of the European Hockey Championship will be played on June 20, while the final match of the qualified teams will be played on June 29. Alliance International Hockey Team Captain Rana Mohammad Nawaz said that the Alliance International Hockey Team, in which former legends and famous players will participate, will be Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Olympian Shahbaz Junior, Olympian Irfan Mahmood, Mohammad Irfan International, Ehsanullah Khan International, Mohammad Adnan Ashraf International, Shabbir Hassan International, Amir Shahzad International, Khurram Shahzad International, Mohammad Riasat International, Muaz. Munir, Samiullah Khan, Noor Rana and other players including Canadian International will participate. The team physio will be Dr. Mohammad Amir Farooq. He said that it is a great honor for me to represent the Alliance International Hockey Team and perform the duties of captain. The morale of our team players is high and we will achieve significant success in the Eurocontinental Championship.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Pakistan will participate in the third edition of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup for Men’s, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 15-21 June 2025. Besides hosts Malaysia, France, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Wales will fight for top honour.Malaysian Hockey Confederation President, Subahan bin Kamal said: “The Malaysian Hockey Confederation is delighted and privileged to host the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024-25 in Kuala Lumpur. We are grateful to FIH in entrusting us to host this amazing event for the very first time. We are excited and believe this tournament will definitely bring the best of world hockey talents to Malaysia. We would also like to thank our Honourable Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh in supporting our effort in hosting this event.”FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “It’s a true delight to go back to Malaysia with one of our major events. Our hosts have always been wonderful hockey tournament organisers and the same will prevail again for this Men’s Nations Cup that will qualify the winners for the next edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League. On behalf of FIH, I’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our Malaysian friends. I already wish everyone, and first and foremost the athletes, to make the most of this experience to grow, and reach the next level”. The FIH Hockey Nations Cup was launched in 2021 with the aim of offering a top-level competition to the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League and giving the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the next season, precisely. The first two editions were played in Potchefstroom, South Africa (2022) and Gniezno, Poland (2024). The inaugural Nations Cup (men) was won by South Africa, the following one by New Zealand.