FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2024: Pakistan beat Canada by 8-1 goals

GNIEZNO: Pakistan defeated Canada 8-1 in their second match of the ongoing FIH Nations Cup in Gniezno, Poland, here on Monday.

Four goals from Rana Waheed Ashraf, two goals from Ghazanfar Ali and one goal each from Abdul Rehman and Hannan Shahid led the Green Shirts to victory.

Canada’s Sean Davies opened the scoring in the second minute of the match but Pakistan responded less than five minutes later as Waheed Ashraf levelled the game with a superb strike.

Rana doubled Pakistan’s lead in the 27th minute and the Green Shirts ended the second quarter with a one-goal lead.

The third quarter was no different to the second as the Green Shirts scored another goal with Ghazanfar Ali at the back of the box.

However, the best was yet to come as the Green Shirts played an attacking game and scored five more goals, leaving no room for the Canadian team. What was more impressive than Pakistan’s five goals in the last quarter was that they all came in the last 10 minutes.

Read More:Gen Asim Munir appreciates national hockey team’s performance in Azlan Shah Cup

It was Pakistan’s first win of the tournament and they now top Pool B with four points.

In the first match against Malaysia, Pakistan made a brilliant comeback and scored a goal in the last minute to draw the match.

Malaysia led by three goals in the first quarter but Pakistan, known for their resilience, did not give up and levelled the match.

Pakistan will now face France in their final pool match of the tournament on June 5.

The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals of the event.