Pakistan rallied from behind twice before defeating South Africa in a tense shootout to secure 11th place at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
AMSTELVEEN: Pakistan ended their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout victory over South Africa on Friday, securing 11th place at the Wagenr Stadium.
The result gave the four-time world champions their best finish at the World Cup in two decades. Pakistan had finished 12th in the 2010 and 2018 editions, making Friday’s performance a positive step for the national side.
South Africa made the stronger start and took the lead in the eighth minute through Trevor de Lora. Dayaan Cassiem then doubled the advantage three minutes into the second quarter as South Africa maintained pressure on Pakistan.
Pakistan responded strongly before halftime. Afraz pulled one goal back before Mohammad Ammad restored parity, bringing the scores level and shifting the momentum in Pakistan’s favor.
The comeback continued after the break when Rana Waheed Ashraf put Pakistan ahead in the penultimate quarter. South Africa responded through Mustaphaa Cassiem, whose strike made it 3-3.
South Africa regained the lead in the 55th minute when Mustaphaa converted a penalty corner, putting his team 4-3 ahead.
Pakistan, however, produced a late equalizer. Muhammad Hammaduddin found the net in the final minute to make it 4-4 and force a penalty shootout.
Mustaphaa converted South Africa’s opening attempt, while Zikriya Hayat scored for Pakistan. Calvin Davis and Umar Mustafa then converted their attempts to keep the shootout level.
South Africa’s next two attempts, taken by Hans Neethling and Jamie Seales, failed to find the net. Hannan Shahid converted for Pakistan to put his side ahead.
Rana Waheed Ashraf then missed an opportunity to seal the win, while Mustaphaa scored South Africa’s final attempt to make the shootout 3-3.
Former captain Ammad Butt stepped up for Pakistan’s decisive attempt and calmly fired the ball home to secure the victory.
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