Dazhou, China – Pakistan’s Under-18 hockey team secured a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Malaysia in the semifinals of the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 on Friday, booking their place in Sunday’s championship match against Japan.
The intense battle at Dazhou’s National Hockey Training Centre saw both teams locked in a stalemate through regulation time, forcing the match into a high-pressure shootout. Pakistan’s young stars held their composure when it mattered most, converting four of their five attempts while Malaysia faltered with two crucial misses. The victory extends Pakistan’s dominant run in the tournament, where they’ve outscored opponents 25-4 across five matches.
Pakistan’s road to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. The Green Shirts opened their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of Hong Kong, followed by a 9-0 thrashing of Sri Lanka. Their 6-3 victory against Bangladesh secured top spot in the group stage, before edging hosts China 2-1 in a tightly contested quarterfinal. The team’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity have made them tournament favorites.
The stage is now set for an epic showdown against Japan, who defeated defending champions India in the other semifinal. Pakistan will look to claim their first U18 Asia Cup title since 2018 when they take the field on Sunday. With momentum on their side and a perfect tournament record so far, the young Green Shirts have an opportunity to bring hockey glory back to Pakistan and continue the nation’s proud tradition in the sport.