Pakistan is set to clash with New Zealand in the semi-final of the ongoing FIH Nations Cup in Gniezno, Poland, on Saturday. The match between Pakistan and New Zealand will kick off at 9:00 PM (PST), while the other semi-final featuring South Africa and France is scheduled for 6:30 PM.
The victor of the FIH Nations Cup will earn a spot in the next season of the FIH Pro League. The final of the FIH Nations Cup is slated for Sunday, June 9.
In a recent encounter, France secured a narrow 6-5 win over Pakistan in a thrilling match on Wednesday. France took an early lead with Victor Charlet scoring from a penalty corner in the 7th minute, followed by Rogeau Blaise’s field goal in the 14th minute, putting France ahead 2-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Gaspard Baumgarten added another field goal in the 23rd minute, and Charlet struck again in the 25th minute, maintaining France’s dominance. Pakistan attempted a comeback with Abu Mahmood converting a penalty stroke in the 26th minute and Murtaza Yaqoob scoring from a penalty corner in the 29th minute.
Charlet scored his third goal in the 39th minute, with France leading 5-2 at the end of the third quarter. In the final quarter, Pakistan fought back with goals from Rana Waheed in the 46th minute, Abdul Rehman with a field goal in the 52nd minute, and Hannan Shahid’s penalty corner goal in the 56th minute. However, Charlet’s late penalty corner goal secured the victory for France.
Prior to the match against France, Pakistan had a win and a draw in the tournament, drawing against Malaysia and defeating Canada 8-1.
