The poor performance of Pakistan in the Nations Cup continues

• Japan defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the ongoing FIH Hockey Nations Cup in South Africa.
• Pakistan came in last in pool A after dropping two games and drawing with France.
• The green shirts will now compete against Canada for a place in the seventh or eighth spot.

In a classification game, Japan defeated Pakistan 3-1 as the green shirts continued their dismal performance in the ongoing Nations Cup in South Africa.

Japan excelled against the green shirts in the 5th-8th position match, taking the lead in the second quarter.

Japan scored again in the 47th minute, bringing the score to 2-0. Pakistan finally scored a goal just one minute later, allowing them to exhale in relief.

Pakistan was still under pressure, though, as they came in last in pool A after dropping two games and drawing with France.

In order to secure a resounding victory, Japan scored their third goal in the 54th minute of play. On December 4, Pakistan will now compete against Canada in a match for the seventh or eighth spot.

The best-ranked teams not taking part in the FIH Hockey Pro League can compete at a high level in the FIH Nations Cup, and the winning team has the option of being promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League the following season. As a result, the FIH Hockey Nations Cup heralds the beginning of the promotion-relegation principle for the FIH Hockey Pro League, with the victorious team having the opportunity to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2023–24.

The 2023–24 and 2024–25 FIH Pro League champions will receive direct qualification to their respective 2026 Hockey World Cups. Following that, the winners in 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 will earn a spot in the 2028 Olympics.