JAPAN : Pakistan’s Under-18 hockey team cruised into the semi-finals of the U-18 Asia Cup after a commanding 5-2 victory over Bangladesh in their final Pool B match here on Wednesday.
The young Greenshirts wasted no time asserting their dominance, as Abdullah opened the scoring in the third minute. However, Bangladesh’s Munna Islam restored parity in the 12th minute, and the first quarter ended 1-1. A goalless second quarter kept the tension alive.
Pakistan regained the lead in the third quarter through Adeel, but Bangladesh struck back again just three minutes later to level the score. The turning point came in the 39th minute when Pakistan earned a penalty stroke, calmly converted by Haider Aisam to make it 3-2.
In the final quarter, Pakistan sealed the game with two field goals from Abdullah Awan and Muhammad Yahya, completing a 5-2 triumph.
With the win, Pakistan topped their pool and advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face arch-rivals India on Friday.
