LAHORE Pakistan defeated Japan 3-1 in the final of the Hockey World Cup qualifying tournament in Lille, France on Sunday. The Pakistan Hockey Federation will heave a sigh of relief as the team will now play in the main round of the Hockey World Cup to be held in India next year. According to reports reaching here, Pakistans Haseem Khan gave his team lead in the 12th minute. Sohail Abbas, the penalty corner specialist, converted a penalty corner and Pakistan were now 2-1 up. Sohails goal came in the 24th minute of the first half. Pakistan continued their spirited display and made a few moves which could not be translated into goals. Some three minutes after Pakistans second goal, Japan captain Tsubouchi Kazuhiro brought his team back into the contention with a goal from penalty corner in the 27th minute of the match. With Japan just a goal down, Pakistan defence responded with better performance thwarting every move. In the 41st minute, Sohail Abbas hit his second and Pakistans third goal to give the greenshirts unassailable 3-1 lead. Afterwards, Pakistan missed a few opportunities. Meanwhile, Pakistan goal keeper Salman Akbar was upto the challenge and defied Japan strikers with confidence. The FIH will soon hold another two qualifying tournaments, one in New Zealand and the other in Argentina. As many as nine teams will play the main round. The is the first time that the four time champions are appearing in the qualifying round of the tournament. The standard of the former hockey powerhouse has dwindled but the PHF claims the condition of the game is improving in the country.