Pakistan edge Japan to reach final

KARACHI: Pakistan defeated Japan 2-1 to reach the final of the three-nation tournament in Oman on Sunday. After a shocking 4-4 draw against Oman on Saturday, Pakistan rebounded to beat Japan 2-1 at Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.The first half went scoreless.

Mubashar Ali broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when he converted a penalty corner. Within two minutes, Japan equalised through Kenta Tanaka, also off a PC. Both the sides fought hard to go ahead. In the 48th minute, Pakistan again took the lead through their experienced striker Umar Bhutta and it remained 2-1 when the match ended.

Pakistan have completed their four matches of the double league phase with eight points.Japan (four points) and Oman (one point) will play the last match of the league on Monday (today).

Only a big Oman win over Japan would enable the hosts to qualify for the final against Pakistan on Tuesday as Japan have a goal difference of +1 while Oman’s goal difference is of -6.