Malaysia
\nPakistan on Friday secured a tie in their match against New Zealand in the 30th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup.
\nPakistan\u2019s fifth match today, which was played in Malaysia\u2019s Ipoh city at 1pm (PKT), saw them remain unbeaten throughout the tournament.
\nThe match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point each, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said.
\nSenior player Ammad Shakeel is leading the 18-member squad with Abu Bakr as the vice-captain.
\nJapan lead the points table with 13 points while Pakistan rank second with 11 points. New Zealand hold the third position with seven points while Malaysia follow them with a point less.
\nAccording to the PHF, both Pakistan and New Zealand had not scored by half-time. New Zealand then succeeded in scoring a field goal in the 35th minute of the game.
\nHowever, Abu Bakr amassed a goal for Pakistan in the 43rd minute while playing at the penalty corner.
\nPakistan and Japan had already qualified for the final match, which will take place at 5:30pm (PKT) on Saturday at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, after winning their respective matches on Wednesday.
\nPakistan had defe\u00adated Canada 5-4 while Japan beat hosts Malaysia 2-1.
\nAccording to Radio Pakistan, Pakistan have won their three matches against Malaysia, South Korea and Canada while the ones against Japan and New Zealand ended in a draw.
\nMeanwhile, after their 3-1 victory against Canada today, Japan have four wins plus a draw.
\nEarlier this month, head coach Roelant Oltmans had said he expected an improved show by Pakistan in the tournament.
\nOltmans, 69, has served Pakistan\u2019s senior and junior teams in different roles since 2004 and was involved with the youth side in his most recent stint.
\nPakistan won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice \u2014 in 1999, 2000 and 2003 \u2014 and came third in the last edition which was also held in Ipoh in 2022. Malaysia are the defending champions of this year\u2019s edition.<\/p>\n
Govt expresses support to players ahead of final
\nAddressing the squad via video link, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated the government\u2019s commitment to hockey while also mentioning a campaign across all forms of media to highlight the team\u2019s achievements in the Azlan Shah Cup, according to a report from state-run Radio Pakistan.
\nHe added that the prime minister would focus on removing obstacles in the development of hockey in Pakistan.
\nTara said final would be broadcast nationwide tomorrow on Saturday and wished the team luck.
\n\u201cThe entire nation is praying for the victory of Pakistan and is looking forward to welcome a champion team.\u201d
\nRana Mashood Ahmed, chairman of the Prime Minister\u2019s Youth Programme, also congratulated the team for reaching the final after thirteen years.
\nHe added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would also host the team on its return and address issues impeding hockey\u2019s development in the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Malaysia Pakistan on Friday secured a tie in their match against New Zealand in the 30th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup. Pakistan\u2019s fifth match today, which was played in Malaysia\u2019s Ipoh city at 1pm (PKT), saw them remain unbeaten throughout the tournament. The match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point each, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":406221,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-406190","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n