In a significant matchup on Friday, Pakistan's Under-21 hockey team faced off against South Korea's senior national team, ultimately suffering a 6-2 defeat at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad. This exhibition game marked the conclusion of a four-match Test series, in which Pakistan had already secured victory in the first three fixtures, clinching the series with an impressive 3-0 lead prior to this final encounter.
The match began with South Korea demonstrating their experience and skill, quickly establishing dominance on the field. In the opening five minutes, they scored two goals from penalty corners, with Rim Jinkang netting the first in the third minute. Just two minutes later, Kim Hyeonhong doubled the visitors' lead, putting South Korea ahead 2-0 before the first quarter concluded.
Pakistan's Under-21 team, however, showed resilience and managed to respond in the second quarter. Mohammad Ahmed found the back of the net with a well-executed field goal in the 19th minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Despite this effort, South Korea maintained their lead as the teams headed into halftime.
After the break, South Korea intensified their attack, effectively utilizing penalty corners to extend their advantage. Lim Dohyun scored in the 37th minute, and just three minutes later, he added another goal, pushing the score to 4-1. Kim Hyeonhong then struck again in the 42nd minute, marking his second goal of the match and increasing Korea's lead to 5-1.
Pakistan's hopes for a comeback were briefly reignited when Ghulam Mustafa scored a field goal in the 43rd minute, making it 5-2. However, South Korea quickly extinguished any lingering hopes by scoring once more in the 54th minute through Kim Yong Bok, sealing a comprehensive 6-2 victory.
The match was attended by notable figures, including Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, PHF Selection Committee Chairman Olympian Samiullah Khan, and senior sports broadcaster Yahya Khan, among others. Despite the loss in this final match, the Under-21 team’s overall performance throughout the series was commendable, earning praise from hockey supporters across the nation.
Fielding the Under-21 squad against South Korea's senior team provided invaluable experience for the younger players, allowing them to compete against seasoned international athletes. This strategic choice reflects a commitment to developing the next generation of Pakistani hockey talent, ensuring that the future of the sport remains bright in the country.
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