Pakistan booked the fourth and final ticket to the 2016 Junior World Cup with a 4-1 demolition of China in the quarterfinals of the 8th Men’s Junior Asia Cup at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium.
The Pakistanis will go into Saturday’s semi-finals encounter with Korea who had earlier shattered the hearts of 4,000 local fans by carving a 4-1 penalty shootout victory after holding the hosts to a 3-3 draw.
China, who finished at the bottom of Group B after the preliminary round, were a rejuvenated side today as they took the cue by scoring the opening goal in the 17th minute through Meng Lei but Pakistan clawed back with goals from Mubashar Ali (26th) and Shan Irshad (27th) to take a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Three-time champions Pakistan produced their majestic brand of hockey in the second half and clipped China’s wings with brilliant field goals from Shan Irshad again (44th) and Mohammed Dilber three minutes before the final whistle.