Pakistan pulled off a hard-earned 2-0 win over China in their second Pool A match in Oman on late Tuesday.
In what was a closely fought match up it took until the third quarter for the deadlock to be broken when Abu Bakar Mehmood struck in the 42nd minute via a penalty corner.
With nine minutes to go, young Abdul Rehman scored another goal for Pakistan to make it 2-0.
In Group A Pakistan are placed with England, China and Malaysia. They will next face Malaysia on Thursday. Pakistan will have to finish in the top three in Oman to secure a place at Paris this summer.
On Monday, Pakistan began their bid to qualify for a first Olympics in 12 years with a 6-1 loss against Great Britain in Oman.
The three-time Olympic winners Pakistan were unable to secure a spot in the previous two Games. The men from Great Britain haven’t medalled in the Olympics since 1988, and they lost to India in the semifinals in Tokyo 2020.
“In the ongoing Olympic qualifier event in Muscat, Oman, Pakistan lost to England by six goals to one in their first pool match,” PHF said. “Abdul Hanan Shahid scored the only goal for Pakistan.”
