Japan on Saturday won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup in a penalty shootout by defeating Pakistan by 4-1.Â
The final was decided in a shootout after both teams scored two goals apiece at the end of full-time.
Japan staged a comeback to level the score 2-2 after Pakistan scored two goals in the third quarter. Kazumasa Matsumoto produced a second goal in the 47th minute.
In the third quarter, Pakistan came from behind as Ajaz Ahmed netted the goal in the 34th minute while Abdul Rehman scored in the 37th minute.
Earlier, Seren Tanaka scored a field goal for Japan at the 12th-minute mark.
Remember, Pakistan qualified for the final for the first time in 13 years.
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 saw the conclusion of round matches on Friday with Japan and Pakistan finishing as the top two teams on the points table as both remained unbeaten throughout the round-robin matches.
Japan remained on the top with 13 points as they won four matches and drew only one. While Pakistan stayed on the second position with 11 points.
![This handout photo released by the IRGC’s official Sepah News Telegram channel shows smoke billowing from a site bombed by Israel in Tehran early on June 13, 2025 [Sepah News/AFP]](https://mmnews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Israel-attack-on-Iran-1-350x250.jpg)
