Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Pakan remain in semifinal race with 2-1 win over China | Hockey News

Goals from Muhammad Khan and Afraz helped Pakan eke out a 2-1 victory over China to stay in the race for the semifinals in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Monday. However, the defeat meant that China were knocked out of contention for the last-four stage.
The opening quarter happened to be a quiet one in terms of goal-scoring activities.
Pakan earned a couple of penalty corners but failed to convert them. It was followed a field goal chance from both sides, but to no avail, as it was goalless at the end of the first quarter.
Five minutes into the second quarter, Pakan earned a penalty corner and Muhammad Khan successfully converted it to give his side the lead.
While China challenged the goal through video referral for dangerous height, the TV umpire ruled it in favour of Pakan.
After a couple of more chances for Pakan, including a penalty corner, it led 1-0 at the half-time break.
Two minutes following the restart, China showed some urgency and earned a penalty corner in the process, which was converted into a goal Jiesheng Gao to draw level.
At this time, Pakan’s Ahtisham Aslam received a yellow card, while Abdul Rehman was green-carded.
Nevertheless, in the 39th minute, Pakan restored their lead, thanks to some passing game through skipper Umar Bhutta and Abdul Rana before Afraz angled it into the goal.
With Pakan up 2-1 at the end of the third quarter, China upped their ante and switched to more possession and passing, while Pakan began to press high.

But the tactics didn’t seem to work for the Chinese, as the Pakanis managed to hold on to the slender lead to take home the three points at full-time.
Pakan take on hosts and arch-rivals India on Wednesday in a potentially high-voltage match, while China face Japan in their last fixture.