Pakistan Under-21 lose to South Korea 6-2

Pakistan's Under-21 hockey team suffered a 6-2 defeat against South Korea's senior national side in the fourth and final match of a four-match Test series on Friday.

Pakistan had already wrapped up the series with victories in the opening three fixtures.

The exhibition match, played at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad, featured Pakistan's Under-21 side against a more experienced South Korean senior team after the hosts had secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

South Korea made a dominant start, scoring twice from penalty corners in the opening five minutes. Rim Jinkang opened the scoring in the third minute before Kim Hyeonhong doubled the visitors' advantage two minutes later, giving Korea a 2-0 lead at the end of a fast-paced opening spell.

Pakistan responded in the second quarter when Mohammad Ahmed pulled a goal back with a well-taken field effort in the 19th minute. The goal reduced the deficit to 2-1, but South Korea retained its one-goal advantage going into halftime.

The visitors took firm control after the break with an impressive display from penalty corners. Lim Dohyun converted in the 37th minute and added another three minutes later before Kim Hyeonhong struck his second goal of the match in the 42nd minute, extending Korea's lead to 5-1.

Pakistan briefly threatened a comeback when Ghulam Mustafa scored a field goal in the 43rd minute to make it 5-2. However, Kim Yong Bok added another field goal in the 54th minute to complete a comprehensive 6-2 victory for the Korean side.

The match was attended by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President and IPC Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, PHF Selection Committee Chairman Olympian Samiullah Khan, senior sports broadcaster Yahya Khan and representatives of the event's sponsors.

Despite the defeat in the final fixture, Pakistan emerged as winners of the four-test series after claiming victories in the first three matches. The decision to field the Under-21 side in the concluding game against South Korea's senior team provided younger players with exposure against experienced international opposition.

Pakistan's performances throughout the series were warmly received by hockey supporters, who praised the team's overall display despite the loss in the final match.