Pakistan beat France in nerve-wracking shootout to reach FIH Nations Cup finals 

Kuala Lumpur (Web Desk): Pakistan pulled off a gutsy triumph in the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Cup, edging out France in a tense shootout after an electrifying 3-3 draw in regulation time at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday.

From start to finish, the match delivered end-to-end action, with both sides taking turns to dictate the tempo. Though France carved out four penalty corner opportunities in the opening quarter, the scoreboard remained unmoved after the first 15 minutes.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the second period when Xavier Esmenjaud latched onto a loose ball to slot home a sharp field goal, putting the French in front. The momentum stayed with France as Victor Charlet struck shortly after the break, converting a penalty corner to extend their lead to 2-0.

But Pakistan refused to roll over. The Green Shirts launched a spirited counterattack in the third quarter. Afraz sparked the revival, getting on the end of Rana Waheed Ashraf’s pinpoint cross to halve the deficit. Barely moments later, Sufyan Khan stepped up and rifled in a precise drag flick off a penalty corner to bring the sides level.

With France momentarily rattled, Muhammad Hammadudin capitalised on a scramble in front of goal to push Pakistan ahead 3–2 heading into the final period.

Desperate not to bow out, France mounted a late push. Their persistence paid off when Charlet fired in a crucial equaliser from another penalty corner in the dying stages. Pakistan had a golden chance to snatch victory in the 59th minute, but Sufyan’s drag flick was denied by the French defence.

With neither side able to find a winner in regulation, the contest headed to a shootout. Under pressure, Pakistan kept their composure.

Afraz, Shahid Hannan, and Rana Waheed Ashraf coolly converted their chances, while goalkeeper Hammadudin Muhammad emerged as the hero with a decisive save, clinching a 3–2 shootout win for Pakistan.

The result propels Pakistan into the final of the 2024–25 FIH Nations Cup, set for June 21 in Kuala Lumpur, where they will square off against the victor of the second semi-final between South Korea and New Zealand.

With this gutsy performance, Pakistan not only books a shot at the title but also rekindles belief in a brighter future on the international hockey stage.