Malaysia Defeat Pakistan in Thrilling Under-18 Asia Cup Clash

Kakamigahara: (Web Desk) – Malaysia defeated Pakistan 3-2 in a closely fought match at the Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara on Sunday.

The tournament, organized by the Asian Hockey Federation, is being held from May 29 to June 6 in Japan and features some of Asia’s top emerging hockey talent.

Malaysia dominated the first half and established a commanding 3-0 lead before the interval, placing Pakistan under considerable pressure heading into the second half.

The Malaysian attack was led by Dhiresh, who scored twice, while Israf added another goal to complete his side’s tally.

Pakistan responded positively after the break and showed greater attacking intent in the final two quarters. The comeback began in the 42nd minute when Muzammil found the net to reduce the deficit.

The Green Shirts continued to press forward and scored again through Muhammad Farhan in the final minute of the contest, but Malaysia successfully held on to secure a narrow victory.

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Despite the defeat, Pakistan remain in contention for progression in the tournament. The team will now focus on its final group-stage match against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Pakistan began its campaign with an impressive 3-0 win over China, and a strong performance in the upcoming fixture will be crucial in boosting its chances of advancing further in the competition.