Azlan Shah Cup: Japan beat Pakistan in final

Japan beat Pakistan by 4-1 in the final during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 in Ipoh, Malaysia.

The match was decided in the penalty shootout after a draw in the normal time.

Pakistan scored two goals within a short span against Japan, taking 2-1 lead. Ejaz Ahmed and Abdur Rehman scored one goal each for their side. Later, Japan leveled the Pakistan lead by scoring a goal in the third quarter of final match being played in Malaysia’s Ipoh.

Earlier, Pakistan continued their unbeaten run at the tournament with a creditable 1-1 draw against New Zealand in their last round-robin game yesterday.

In the round-robin encounter, Pakistan and Japan had played out a 1-1 draw. Pakistan’s coach Roelant Oltmans expected another tight match in the final.