Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: A 10-man Pakistan squad left Islamabad Airport for Salalah, Oman to participate in the Five-A-Side World Cup Qualifier fixture, as Rana Abdul Waheed will lead green shirts in the 11-nation international hockey showpiece.Head coach Olympian Wasim Feroze, and manager Major Mohammad Shahnawaz Khan. Secretary General Haider Hussain of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Rana Mohammad Shafiq from the National Hockey Selection Committee, Mohammad Asif, Senior Vice President of the Islamabad Hockey Association, and Mirza Naveed Baig sent-off national squad at Islamabad International Airport.The upcoming five-sided Asia Cup will feature 11 participating teams, including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and the host country Oman. Pakistan is scheduled to play their inaugural match against Japan on August 29.Captain Rana Abdul Waheed said:“Pakistan Hockey Federation selected the best players for the competition on merit, as we all going abroad with determination to secure victory. I appeal to the whole nation for prayers, expressing confidence that they will return to Pakistan triumphant.”Olympian Waseem Feroze, the Head Coach of the Pakistan Five-Aided Hockey Team and a 1994 World Cup Gold Medalist, emphasized that Five-Aided Hockey demands swift strategy due to its fast-paced format. He praised the excellent form of the Pakistan team members. He expressed his belief that they will perform effectively, ultimately achieving their target of qualifying for the five-a-side world cup.Names of players: Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Ali Raza, Mohammad Abdullah, Ehtsham Aslam, Mohammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Strikers: Arshad Liaquat, Zakaria Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf, Abdul Rehman, and Abdul Wahab.

Pakistan to take part in only men’s event, 11 teams to fight for top honourSports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The best Hockey5s teams (men and women) from Asia will go head-to-head in Salalah, Oman, for the opportunity to be crowned the inaugural Asian Hockey5s Champions, with the final three spots (per gender) for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 also up for grabs!The event will feature both men’s and women’s competition. Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia and Oman will compete in both men’s and women’s events. Additionally, Chinese Taipei and Thailand will compete in the women’s event that will feature 10 teams, while Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan will play in just the men’s competition, which will see 11 teams participate.The women’s competition will begin on 25 August and run until 28 August. The men’s event will begin right after, running from 29 August to 2 September. The event will feature a new format that will see teams split into two pools, i.e., the Elite Pool and the Challenger Pool.In the women’s competition, India, Malaysia, Japan and Thailand will be placed in the Elite pool. Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iran and Oman will go into the Challenger pool. After the teams complete their pool matches, crossover matches will be played amongst the bottom two teams of the elite pool and the top two teams in the challenger pool. The winners of the crossovers will then take on the top two teams from the elite pool in the semi-finals. The losing semi-finalists will play in the bronze medal match, where the winner, along with the two finalists will qualify for the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.In the men’s competition, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, Oman and Bangladesh will be placed in the Elite pool. Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Iran will compete in the Challenger pool. After the teams complete their pool matches, the first crossover matches will be played amongst the bottom two teams of the elite pool and the top two teams in the challenger pool. The winners of these two contests will play in the second phase of crossover matches, against the teams in third and fourth place of the elite pool.Finally the two top finishers of the elite pool will take on the winners of the second crossovers in the semi-finals. The losing semi-finalists will play in the bronze medal match, where the winner, along with the two finalists will qualify for the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.The inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024 will be played in Muscat, Oman from 24-31 January 2024, with 16 teams competing in both men’s and women’s tournaments.In the women’s competition Namibia, South Africa and Zambia (Africa), USA, Uruguay and Paraguay (Pan America), Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine (Europe), Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (Oceania) have qualified for the World Cup, alongside hosts Oman. The final three spots will go to the top finishing teams at the Asia Hockey5s World Cup Qualifier.In the men’s competition Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland (Europe), Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria (Africa), USA, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica (Pan America) and Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (Oceania) have qualified for the World Cup alongside hosts Oman. The final three spots will go to the top finishing teams at the Asia Hockey5s World Cup Qualifier.

Sports Bulletin ReportLAHORE: Abdul Hanan Shahid, the young player from the Pakistan hockey team, honored as the Emerging Player of the tournament in the Asian Champions Trophy that was held in Chennai, India.According to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), 17-year-old Abdul Hanan Shahid has showcased his talents on various international stages, representing Pakistan in events such as the Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Nation Cup, Asian Champions Trophy, Junior World Cup, and Junior Asia Cup.Pakistan Hockey Federation President Brigadier (Retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Secretary General Haider Hussain congratulated Abdul Hanan Shahid for getting the award of Emerging Player of the Tournament in the Asian Champions Trophy. 

Sports Bulletin ReportChennai (India): Pakistan hockey team clinched fifth place by defeating China 6-1 In the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, India on Friday.Pakistan took an early lead with a field goal by Mohammad Imad in the 10th minute. Mohammad Sufyan Khan doubled the lead with two penalty corner goals in 11th & 12th minute of 1st quarter. Abdul Hanan Shahid scored another field goal just before the end of the first quarter.China's CHEN Benhai scored a penalty corner goal in the 35th minute. Pakistan's Mohammad Imad and Rana Abdul Waheed scored through a penalty corner and a field goal respectively in the later stages. CHEN Chongcong of China received a green card, while Pakistan's Osama Bashir got a yellow card during the match. Pakistan scored 7 field goals and 6 penalty corner goals during the event. Pakistan player Mohammad Imad was awarded the Best Young Player of the Match while Captain Umar Bhatta got the Hero of the Match award.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The Hockey5s Oceania Cup 2023 came to an end today in Gold Coast as Australia, New Zealand and Fiji secured the gold, silver and bronze medals respectively, in both men’s and women’s competition! With the top-3 classification, all three teams, across both genders, have now qualified for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024!In the women’s competition Australia were the dominant team in the round-robin stage, winning all 6 of their matches, with New Zealand following closely behind with 5 wins and 1 loss. Fiji and Papua New Guinea joined the two Oceanic powerhouses in qualifying for the semi-finals with Fiji taking 12 points from their 6 games, while Papua New Guinea took 7 points to finish fourth. New Zealand took on Fiji in the first semi-final, and three goals in each half, helped the Black Sticks ease past Fiji and confirm a spot in the final and seal qualification for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup, where they will also be joined by Australia, who breezed past Papua New Guinea in the second semi-final with a 12-1 win, on the back of hat-tricks by Jamie Zimmerman and Dacia Koelmeyer. The bronze medal match was played between Fiji and Papua New Guinea, and Fiji came out 6-2 victors in a close match, where they rode the hot hand of Lora Bukalidi who bagged a hat-trick that sends Fiji to the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024. The finals were a close affair with Australia scoring the first two goals of the game before New Zealand cut their deficit in half at the stroke of half-time. New Zealand’s search for the equaliser didn’t bear fruit and Australia scored a third with a little over a minute to go in the game, to win the gold medal. In the men’s competition Australia finished at the top of the table, winning all 6 games in the round-robin phase. New Zealand and Fiji finished in second and third positions with 13 and 10 points respectively. Interestingly, New Zealand and Fiji played out an entertaining 5-5 draw in their head-to-head match up in the round robin stage, and would be matched up in the semifinals as well. Solomon Islands finished fourth and would face Australia in the second semifinals. Once again it was New Zealand taking on Fiji in the first semi-final, with New Zealand prevailing in a 6-2 win. Taimana Iversen scored a brace to lead the Black Sticks into the finals and seal qualification for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024. New Zealand will be joined in the World Cup by Australia who made light work of their semi-final encounter against Solomon Islands, coming away with a 10-0 victory. Mitchell Pace scored a first-half hat-trick to put the game beyond doubt and Joshua Commins added two late goals in the second half to seal a second hat-trick for the Kookaburras who made the finals as favourites. Fiji dominated the bronze medal match against Solomon Islands, winning 6-1, and joined their female counterparts in qualifying for the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024. The finals produced a thriller with New Zealand shocking the home favourites by taking a 3-goal lead inside the first 8 minutes of the game. But Australia clawed their way back and snatched the lead, scoring 4 unanswered goals over the next 5 minutes! A minute later, New Zealand scored again to draw level. Australian captain Liam Kerr-Nelson stepped up and added two goals in the final 3 minutes of the game to lead the hosts to an incredible 6-4 win over their continental rivals and secured the gold medal! In the women’s competition Namibia, South Africa and Zambia from Africa have qualified for the World Cup, alongside hosts Oman. USA, Uruguay and Paraguay have qualified from Pan America while Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine have qualified from Europe. Australia, New Zealand and Fiji have now qualified from Oceania. The final three teams for the World Cup will qualify from Asia, later this year. In the men’s competition Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland from Europe, and Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria from Africa have qualified for the World Cup, alongside hosts Oman. USA, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica are the three qualifiers from Pan America. Australia, New Zealand and Fiji have now qualified from Oceania. The final three teams for the World Cup will qualify from Asia, later this year. 

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): Pakistan, China, and Spain will host the Paris Olympics 2024 FIH Hockey Qualifiers January next year in Lahore, Changzhou and Valencia respectively from January 13 to 21.According to International Hockey Federation (FIH), women’s fixtures will be held in Changzhou, China (one tournament) and Valencia, Spain (one tournament) while men’s in Lahore, Pakistan (one tournament) and Valencia, Spain (one tournament), as each tournament will consist of 8 teams.The top 3 teams in each of these FIH Hockey Olympic Qualification Tournaments will qualify for Paris 2024. They will join hosts France as well as the winners of each Continental Championship (African Hockey Road to Paris, Pan American Games, Asian Games, EuroHockey Championship and Oceania Cup).As has been the case since Beijing 2008, 12 teams per gender will play at the Paris 2024 Olympic hockey tournaments, with each squad consisting of 16 athletes.Women’s (Asia: 4, Europe: 8, Oceania: 1, Pan America: 3)Men’s (Africa: 1, Asia: 5, Europe: 7, Oceania: 1, Pan America: 2)

Sports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-India beat Pakistan 2-1 to win the title of the Juniors Asia Hockey Cup 2023 here at Youth Sports Complex Oman on Thursday night. At the half stage, Indian were leading 2-0.Pakistan Squad:Mohammad Abdullah (captain), Abdul Hanan Shahid (vice-captain), Ali Raza, Mohammad Faizan Janjua, Aqeel Ahmed, Arbaaz Ahmed, Ehtsham Aslam, Mohammad Sufyan Khan, Arbaz Ayaz, Mohammad Murtaza Yaqub, Arshad Liaquat, Ali Murtaza, Zakaria Hayat, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Qayyum. Dogar, Abdul Wahab, Basharat Ali, Bilal AkramIndia Squad:Mohith H S, Himwaan Sihag (goalkeepers), Shardanand Tiwari, Rohit, Amandeep Lakra, Amir Ali, Yogember Rawat (defenders), Vishnukant Singh, Rajinder Singh, Poovanna C B, Amandeep, Sunit Lakra (midfielders), Boby Singh Dhami, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Lalage, Uttam Singh, Sudeep Chirmako, Angad Bir Singh (forwards) 

Pakistan to meet India in final on Thursday, Abdul Rehman names Player of the MatchSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-Pakistan outclassed Malaysia 6-2 in the second semifinal of the Junior Asia Hockey Cup and set their clash with traditional foes India in the final, as in the first semifinal India defeated South Korea 9-1 at Youth Complex Salalah Oman on Wednesday. The final will be played between Pakistan and India on Thursday at the same venue, as both teams were balanced 1-1 in their pool match a few days back. Despite of this that going down 0-1, Pakistan players displayed top quality game to overcome heavyweights Malaysia in the second semifinal. The first goal for Pakistan was scored by Mohammad Sufyan Khan in the 42nd minute of the game while Abdul Rahman scored the second goal in the 44th minute. Abdul Hanan Shahid scored third in the 47th minute while Abdul Rahman struck 4th goal in the 48th minute. Abdul Rahman completed the hat trick by scoring 5th goal in the 51st minute.Arbaaz Ahmed in the 58th minute made the score-line 6-2 till the final whistle. Danish and Prabhu scored goals for Malaysia. Abdul Rahman was declared the player of the match. The final of the event will be played between Pakistan and India on June 1, 2023.

Green Shirts outplay Japan in the last Pool match 3-2, Abdul Wahab scores 2 goalsSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-Pakistan cruised into the semifinal of the Asian Juniors Hockey Cup 2023 after beating Japan 3-2 in their last pool match at Salalah Oman on Monday. Abdul Wahab netted the ball twice and got the Man of the Match award.Arbad scored the first goal for Pakistan in the 23rd minute of the match. He directed the ball to the goalpost on a penalty corner. Abdul Wahab was the hero of the match, who scored two goals for his team in the 30th, and 39th minutes of the thriller contest to confirm Pakistan’s berth in the top-four stage of the regional hockey fixture of junior players.

Pakistan display top quality game, the match ends 1-1 after four quartersSports Bulletin ReportSalalah (Oman):-As the high-rank Indians were dreaming to defeat Pakistan, the Green Shirts fought valiantly and played a 1-1 draw against traditional foes in the junior’s Asia Hockey Cup 2023 at Salalah, Oman on Saturday night.It was a sensational encounter between Pakistan and India that ended with 1-1 goal at the final whistle. Basharat Ali scored the only goal for Pakistan in the 44th minute, while Shraddha Nand scored the goal for his team in the 24th minute from India. Abdul Hanan Shahid was declared player of the match.Pakistan will play its fourth match against Japan on May 29.