Pakistan earns first triumph in Asian Hockey Champions Trophy after beating Japan

Third time's the charm: Pakistan's national hockey team secures 2-1 victory over Japan after drawing first two matches

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Pakistan achieved its first victory in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, edging past Japan with a 2-1 win in a tense encounter on Monday.

The Green Shirts started strong, with Nadeem Ahmed scoring in the first quarter, giving Pakistan an early advantage.

However, Japan fought back in the second quarter, levelling the score.

The turning point came in the 10th minute of the second quarter, when Sufyan Khan netted the decisive goal to restore Pakistan’s lead, which they held onto until the final whistle.

This victory marked a crucial moment for Pakistan, who had drawn their previous two matches.

They began the tournament with a 2-2 draw against South Korea, followed by another 2-2 stalemate against Malaysia.

Pakistan’s next match will be against China on 12 September, followed by a high-pressure showdown with arch-rivals India on 14 September.

The win boosts Pakistan's morale ahead of these crucial encounters, as they look to build momentum in the tournament.

Despite their slow start, the team has shown resilience in their campaign, and fans are hopeful for a stronger finish in the remaining fixtures.