Pakistan beat Japan 4-2 to reach Junior Asia Cup final

KARACHI: Pakistan defeated Japan by 4-2 in the semifinal of Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Oman, Muscat, on Tuesday. Japan fought well and leveled the scores twice.

Captain Hanan Shahid was the hero of the match as during the second quarter he opened the account for Pakistan. Hanan played marvelously and smashed Japan’s defense line. He took the ball alone from half line running fast dodging two defenders and then a third defender and hit the ball from top of the “D”. Japan’s goalkeeper completely failed to stop the strike.

A few minutes before the end of the second quarter, Japan equalised. Later Japan forwards attacked Pakistan’s goal post time and again but goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua displayed outstanding goalkeeping and stopped three open goal-scoring chances when Pakistani defenders and midfielders had completely failed to stop the Japan forwards.

In the third quarter Bisharat Ali netted Pakistan’s second goal on the rebound of a penalty corner. Japan once again retaliated and equalised 2-2. Hanan once again dominated the game and scored Pakistan’s third goal. Pakistan penalty corner specialist Sufyan Khan scored the 4th goal.