Sufyan Khan’s four-goal performance could not prevent Pakistan from suffering their first defeat of the Asian Games 2026 hockey campaign.
Pakistan suffered their first defeat of the Asian Games 2026 men’s hockey competition after Malaysia secured a thrilling 5-4 victory in their Pool B encounter at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium on Saturday.
The Green Shirts entered the top-of-the-table contest with three consecutive wins and quickly showed their attacking intent. Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner in the third minute to give Pakistan an early lead.
Malaysia responded before the end of the opening quarter, with Shello Silverius producing an impressive field-goal finish to level the score at 1-1.
Malaysia Take Control
Malaysia moved ahead in the second quarter when Faizal Saari successfully converted a penalty corner in the 23rd minute. Pakistan were unable to restore parity before the halftime whistle, leaving Malaysia with a narrow 2-1 advantage.
Pakistan came out aggressively after the interval and turned the match around within minutes. Sufyan Khan converted two penalty corners in a four-minute spell to complete his hat-trick and put Pakistan 3-2 ahead.
However, Malaysia quickly responded. Fitri Saari found the net from a penalty corner just two minutes later, bringing the score level at 3-3 heading into the final quarter.
Late Malaysian Fightback
Pakistan regained the lead early in the fourth quarter when Sufyan converted another penalty corner, taking his personal tally to four goals.
Malaysia refused to surrender and produced a decisive late comeback. Silverius scored his second goal through a penalty corner in the 56th minute before Abu Kamal Azrai struck just a minute later to give Malaysia a 5-4 lead.
Pakistan were awarded a final penalty corner in the 58th minute but could not find the equaliser, allowing Malaysia to claim all three points.
Pool B Standings
The result extended Malaysia’s winning run to four matches and strengthened their position at the top of Pool B with 12 points and a goal difference of 25.
Pakistan remain second with nine points from four matches and a goal difference of 15.
Pakistan will now look to finish the league stage on a positive note when they face Oman at the same venue on Monday.