Pakistan Clinch Series Despite Defeat In Finale As South Korea Thrash U21 Side 6-2

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may have suffered a humiliating 6-2 thrashing at the hands of South Korea in the fourth and final hockey Test here at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium on Friday, but the hosts had already secured the series with three consecutive victories in the earlier fixtures, a result that leaves the Green Shirts with both encouragement and concern ahead of their crucial World Cup campaign later this month.

With the series already in the bag, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) opted to field a young U21 side in the dead rubber, offering emerging talent much-needed international exposure against a formidable South Korean outfit.

And while the experiment yielded little on the scoreboard, the experience gained could prove invaluable as Pakistan prepare for their drought-ending FIH Hockey World Cup appearance.

Having already secured the series with a commanding 3-0 lead, the Pakistan team management has decided to field Pakistan’s Under-21 national hockey team in the final match of the series against Korea today, giving the young squad an opportunity to gain valuable international… pic.twitter.com/tXan4CmUP6

— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) August 7, 2026

South Korea dominate from the start

The visitors made their intentions clear early on, with Rim Jinkang opening the scoring in just the fifth minute through a well-executed penalty corner. Kim Hyeonhong doubled the lead in the very next minute with another successful penalty corner conversion, leaving the young Pakistani side shell-shocked as South Korea took a 2-0 lead into the first quarter break.

Pakistan showed resilience in the second quarter when Mohammad Ahmad produced a sensational field goal in the 19th minute, pulling one back and giving the home crowd a glimmer of hope. The scoreline read 2-1 in South Korea’s favour at halftime.

Third-quarter onslaught seals the deal

Any hopes of a Pakistani fightback were extinguished in the penultimate quarter as South Korea came out firing on all cylinders. Lim Dohyun emerged as the star of the show, striking twice in the 37th and 40th minutes, while Kim Hyeonhong completed his brace in the 42nd minute, all three goals coming from penalty corners – to stretch the visitors’ lead to a commanding 5-1.

Pakistan managed to pull one back in the final quarter through a field goal from Ghulam Mustafa, but Kim Yong Bok restored South Korea’s four-goal cushion in the 54th minute, ensuring the visitors ended the series on a high note with a resounding 6-2 victory.

Korea beats Pakistan U21 6-2 in final match of the Test series. Pakistan wins series 3-1. pic.twitter.com/CPEvrJJK9f

— Muneeb Farrukh (@Muneeb313_) August 7, 2026

Series serves as vital World Cup tune-up

The recently concluded home series against South Korea was always intended as crucial preparation for Pakistan’s historic return to the FIH Hockey World Cup, marking the end of a long drought for the Green Shirts. Coming off a disastrous FIH Pro League campaign in which they lost all 16 matches without a single point, the series victory, despite the final-day setback, offers a much-needed morale boost.

Pakistan will now turn their attention to the World Cup, where they are scheduled to open their campaign against England on August 15, followed by a clash with Wales on August 17. Their most anticipated group-stage match will come against arch-rivals India on August 19, a fixture that promises to be the highlight of their tournament.

While the 6-2 scoreline in the final match may raise eyebrows, the decision to field a U21 side in a dead rubber reflects a long-term vision from the PHF. Giving young players the chance to test themselves against top-quality international opposition will only strengthen Pakistan’s bench strength ahead of the World Cup and beyond.