DAZHOU, China: Japan outclassed Pakistan 3-0 in the final of the Men’s U-18 Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday at the National Hockey Training Centre in Dazhou, bringing an end to Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
Pakistan, who had displayed dominant form throughout the tournament, were unable to break through Japan’s solid defence in the high-stakes final.
Despite a strong start and early pressure on the Japanese backline, the first quarter remained goalless as both teams battled to take control of the game.
Japan broke the deadlock in the second quarter when Yuma Fujiwara scored in the 22nd minute, giving his side the lead.
Pakistan, desperate to equalise, struggled to convert their chances, including multiple penalty corners, and went into halftime trailing 1-0.
In the third quarter, Pakistan earned three penalty corners in quick succession but failed to convert any of them.
Japan capitalised on the missed opportunities, doubling their lead with a field goal by Ryutaro Ueda in the 38th minute.
The Green Shirts continued to push forward in the final quarter, but their attack lacked finishing power.
Japan sealed the victory in the 49th minute when Tatsuaki Yasui converted a penalty corner to extend the lead to 3-0.
Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan had enjoyed an impressive run, registering emphatic wins over Hong Kong (8-0), Sri Lanka (9-0), and Bangladesh (6-3) in the group stages.
In the quarter-finals, they defeated hosts China 2-1 and went on to edge out Malaysia in a dramatic semi-final that ended 3-3 in regular time before Pakistan won 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
Japan’s clinical display in the final exposed Pakistan’s inability to finish key chances, especially from penalty corners, and handed them their second major final defeat within a month.
In June, Pakistan were also beaten 6-2 by New Zealand in the FIH Nations Cup final in Kuala Lumpur.
The Pakistani squad for the U-18 Asia Cup included 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.
The team was managed by Shafqat Malik, with coaching support from Mukhtar Ahmed, Touseeq Ahmed, and Masood-ur-Rahman.
