Pakistan’s men’s hockey team made a brilliant start to its Asian Games 2026 campaign, defeating Thailand 9-0 in their Pool B opener at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan, on September 20. The Green Shirts controlled the match from the opening whistle and completed the contest without conceding a goal.
The victory gave Pakistan three points at the start of the group stage and highlighted the team’s attacking strength. Ahmed Nadeem was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick, while Sufyan Khan added two goals from penalty corners.
Ahmed Nadeem Leads Pakistan’s Attack
Pakistan took the lead in the eighth minute through Moeen Shakeel before Ammad Butt doubled the advantage in the 12th minute. Ahmed Nadeem then scored in the 20th minute, followed by two quick penalty-corner goals from Sufyan Khan in the 22nd and 23rd minutes.
Pakistan continued its pressure after the interval. Rana Waheed Ashraf scored in the 31st minute, while Hannan Shahid added another three minutes later. Nadeem completed his hat-trick with goals in the 37th and 43rd minutes, taking Pakistan’s total to nine.
Pakistan Keeps Thailand Scoreless
Pakistan remained in control across all four quarters and prevented Thailand from finding the net. The defensive performance complemented the team’s attacking display, producing a clean sheet in the opening match of the tournament.
Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the national team and management on the victory and expressed hope that the side would maintain its winning momentum in the remaining matches.
Pakistan’s next Pool B match is against Uzbekistan on September 22, followed by fixtures against China, Malaysia and Oman. The men’s hockey competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games also serves as the Asian qualification route for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with the Asian Games champion earning the continental Olympic berth.
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