Key Takeaways
- Pakistan secured a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s hockey semi-finals with a 7-2 victory over Oman.
- Rana Waheed scored a hat-trick, while Sufyan Khan contributed twice from penalty corners.
- Pakistan will face India in the semi-final on October 1.
Pakistan has advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Games 2026 men’s hockey tournament after defeating Oman 7-2 in Pool B. The victory secured Pakistan’s second-place finish in the group stage, behind Malaysia, who topped the group with 15 points.
The match, played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, saw Pakistan dominate for much of the game. Sufyan Khan opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, followed by a second goal six minutes later. Rana Waheed then scored his first of three in the 34th minute, doubling Pakistan’s lead.
Ghazanfar Ali and Ammad Butt also found the net, with Waheed adding another in the 44th minute and completing his hat-trick in the 59th. Oman managed to score through Al Baraa Al Nofli and Aiman Madit, but their efforts were in vain.
Pakistan’s performance in the pool stage was impressive, with a total of 28 goals scored and only eight conceded across five matches. They defeated Thailand 9-0, Uzbekistan 5-1, and China 3-0 before narrowly losing to Malaysia 5-4.
Despite the loss to Malaysia, Pakistan’s strong showing in the group stage ensured their place in the semi-finals. Their semi-final match will be against India, with a place in the final at stake. The match is scheduled for October 1.
Pakistan’s next challenge will be to maintain their form and secure a place in the final. The team’s focus will be on delivering a strong performance against India, who they will face in the semi-final.
The Green Shirts have shown resilience and skill throughout the tournament, and their semi-final appearance is a significant achievement. The team’s next goal is to continue their impressive form and secure a place in the Asian Games final.
