Pakistan opened their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a narrow 5-4 victory over China on Sunday at the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Hockey Stadium.
The Green Shirts made a strong start. Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner in the eighth minute to give Pakistan an early 1-0 lead.
China responded at the beginning of the second quarter when Shihao Du scored to level the match. Pakistan quickly regained control. Rana Waheed Ashraf converted a penalty corner to restore the lead within four minutes.
Just a minute later, Pakistan captain Ammad Butt scored an impressive field goal to extend the advantage to 3-1, a score that held until halftime.
Pakistan increased their lead early in the third quarter. Abu Mahmood converted a penalty corner five minutes into the period to make it 4-1. China fought back strongly. Shihao Du struck again in the 39th minute, followed by a goal from Quyang Guan in the 42nd minute to narrow the gap to 4-3.
Waleed Rana responded before the end of the third quarter, scoring a field goal to push Pakistan ahead 5-3.
China came out aggressively in the final quarter. Xiaojia Zhang scored in the 49th minute to cut the deficit to 5-4. China was awarded two penalty corners late in the game but could not find an equalizer.
The victory places Pakistan second in Group B of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, behind Malaysia on goal difference. Pakistan will face Malaysia next at the same venue on Monday.
