Wales, Malaysia Qualify for 5th-6th Position , Japan and South Africa will paly for 7th and 8th position
Pakistan Vs France Nations Cup Semi Final Today Where To Watch It
DNA
KUALALUMPUR– In a thrilling semifinal clash at the FIH Nations Cup, Pakistan pulled off a sensational comeback to defeat higher-ranked France in a penalty shootout after the match ended 3-3 in regulation time.
France, ranked 10th in the world, dominated early, racing to a 2-0 lead. However, 15th-ranked Pakistan fought back valiantly, scoring three consecutive goals to take a 3-2 lead. Sufiyan Khan and Rana Waheed were instrumental in the turnaround, showcasing brilliant attacking play.
France managed to equalize late in the game, forcing the match into a shootout. Pakistani goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman emerged as the hero, making crucial saves to secure a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout. His outstanding performance earned widespread praise.
“This win is for the nation,” said Pakistan’s captain. “The boys showed great character after being two goals down. Muneeb was exceptional, and the entire team fought hard.”
Pakistan will now face the winner of the other semifinal in the Nations Cup final, aiming to clinch the title and boost their world ranking. The victory has reignited hopes for a resurgence in Pakistan hockey, with fans celebrating the team’s spirited performance.
France, despite the loss, put up a strong fight but fell short in the shootout. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s remarkable comeback has set the stage for an exciting final showdown.
Earlier, Two important classification matches were decided on Friday in the ongoing FIH Nations Cup Hockey Tournament being played in Malaysia, with Wales and host nation Malaysia registering convincing victories over their respective opponents.
In the first match of the day, Wales thrashed Japan with a dominant performance, securing a victory. The Welsh side displayed clinical attacking play, capitalizing on Japan’s defensive weaknesses and maintaining control throughout the match. With this win, Wales not only ended their group stage campaign on a high note but also confirmed their place in the 5th-6th position playoff.
Later in the evening, hosts Malaysia kept the home crowd cheering as they outclassed South Africa 4-2 in an entertaining contest. Malaysia showed great composure and teamwork to overcome the physically strong South African side. The Malaysians, who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the final due to goal difference, played with flair and determination to keep their hopes alive for a respectable finish.
With these results, both Wales and Malaysia have now secured their spots in the 5th and 6th position match, which will be played on Saturday, June 22. The match promises to be an exciting battle between two well-matched sides aiming to finish the tournament on a high.
Meanwhile, the grand final of the Nations Cup is also scheduled for Saturday, June 22, at 6:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Pakistan, despite losing to New Zealand in their last group match, qualified for the SEMIfinal on better goal difference. Pakistan will face France, who remained unbeaten in the group stage.
The winner of the Nations Cup will earn a coveted spot in the 2025 FIH Pro League, one of the most prestigious competitions in international hockey. This has raised the stakes significantly for the finalists, with both teams looking to secure their place among the hockey elite.
As the tournament reaches its climax, the Nations Cup has delivered intense and high-quality matches, showcasing the rising talent and competitive spirit of participating teams. All eyes are now set on Saturday’s final showdown and classification matches, which will bring the tournament to an exciting conclusion.
