Malaysia secured a narrow 3-2 win over Pakistan in a gripping U18 Asia Cup encounter in Kakamigahara, with both sides producing an intense, end-to-end contest. Malaysia struck first and kept persistent pressure on Pakistan’s defence, building a slender advantage that proved decisive.
Dhirish emerged as the key figure for Malaysia, converting two vital goals, while Israf added a third to put Malaysia ahead on the scoreboard. The Malaysian performance combined quick transitions and accurate finishing to test the Green Shirts throughout the match.
Pakistan staged a spirited response, refusing to yield as the game progressed. Muzammil pulled one back in the 42nd minute, giving Pakistan renewed momentum and belief. The Green Shirts intensified their attacking play in search of parity and were rewarded when Muhammad Farhan found the net in the final minute to narrow the margin to 3-2.
Despite a late surge and several promising moves, Pakistan could not fashion a second equaliser before the final whistle. The match showcased strong individual moments and hard-working team displays from both sides, underlining the competitive standard at this edition of the U18 Asia Cup.
The tournament, held from May 29 to June 6 under the auspices of the Asian Hockey Federation, continues to be an important platform for emerging talent in the region. Pakistan’s junior setup, backed by sponsors Alaska Batteries and PTCL, will look to build on the lessons from this game as the squad prepares for upcoming challenges.
Attention now turns to Pakistan’s next group-stage fixture against Bangladesh on June 3, where the team will aim to recover from the narrow defeat and strengthen its position in the competition.
