ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has qualified for the next year’s Junior Hockey World Cup in India after outclassing China 4-1 in the quarterfinals of the Junior Asia Cup Hockey Championship 2015 in Malaysia.
Shaan Irshad's brace was the highlight of the quarterfinal where Pakistan thrashed China 4-1. It was highly important match for Pakistan team, as anything less than victory could have sent green shirts out of the next year’s junior world hockey cup.
Pakistan hopes suffered body blow, as it was China who took the lead in the 17th minute through Meing Lee, who scored on a plenty corner, but lead shortlived as Mubashir equalized through plenty corner in the 26th minute. Shaan scored his first and Pakistan's second goal in the 27th minute, as the first half ended with Pakistan leading 2-1.
It took green shirts further 17 minutes to score the third goal and it was once again Shaan who scored a beautiful field goal in the 44th minute. M Dilber ensured victory as he scored fourth goal in the 67th minute to give green shirts highly deserving 4-1 victory and a place in the semifinals to be played November 21 against Korea.
Talking to The Nation, team manager Brig (R) Khalid Farani said: “Pakistan remained unbeaten and also qualified for Junior World Cup in India. Now we are just two steps away from Asia Cup Trophy and although we have qualified for the next year junior world cup yet we would not sit back and go all-out attacking in the semifinals. The boys played tremendously and showed the world what Pakistan hockey is all about. I am really thankful to our nation for supporting and believing in us.”