Key points
- Green Shirts showcased composure under pressure
- Pakistan now gears up for high-stakes final showdown against Japan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s rising stars carved their path to the final of the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 with a nerve-shredding 4-3 penalty shootout triumph over Malaysia at the National Hockey Training Centre in Dazhou.
The semi-final, a battle of grit and steel, ended in a stalemate during regular time as both teams fought tooth and stick to a draw. But when the game entered the crucible of a shootout, it was the Green Shirts who emerged as masters of composure under pressure.
Pakistan’s young guns kept their focus intact while Malaysia faltered, missing two pivotal attempts. Pakistan, unwavering in their resolve, slipped just one — enough to seal the edge in a 4-3 victory and punch their ticket to Sunday’s grand finale.
Remarkable journey
The victory crowns a remarkable journey for this fearless Pakistani outfit, who has dazzled the continent with their attacking flair and defensive discipline. Their campaign began with fireworks — an 8-0 demolition of Hong Kong, quickly followed by a ruthless 9-0 blitz over Sri Lanka.
In their third group-stage encounter, Pakistan faced their toughest test yet but triumphed 6-3 against Bangladesh, virtually guaranteeing a semi-final berth. They then took on host China in the quarterfinals, edging past them with a poised 2-1 victory to step into the final four.
Now, the Green Shirts stand on the brink of continental glory. Their final hurdle? Japan — a side known for tactical brilliance and fast-paced play. The two teams will lock horns on Sunday in what promises to be a pulsating finale at the same Dazhou venue.
Youthful energy
Pakistan’s U18 squad, led by a mix of youthful energy and technical finesse, has sparked hopes of a golden future for hockey in the country — a sport once synonymous with the nation’s international prestige.
The squad that has electrified the tournament includes: Mohammad Usman, Atif Ali, Asam Junaid, Mohammad Abdullah Farooq, Abdullah Awan, Zubair Lateef, Mohammad Yaseen, Mohammad Ali Taj, Ghulam Mustafa, Ali Hamza, Ali Hanzala, Aamir Sohail, Adeel Afzal, Mohammad Zaman, Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Shaheer, Hasan Shahbaz, and Yaseen Jamshaid.
Guiding them from the side lines is an experienced management team: Manager Shafqat Malik, and coaches Mukhtar Ahmed, Touseeq Ahmed, and Masood-ur-Rahman — whose mentorship has been instrumental in sculpting a side of champions.
