Johor Bahru, 23 October, 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan qualified for the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament after holding Japan to a 2-2 draw in their crucial final league match in Malaysia. Goals from Hamza Fayyaz and Ghulam Mustafa helped the Green-shirts recover from a deficit at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium and secure the result needed to advance to the title clash. Both teams finished the league stage with seven points and a goal difference of plus eight, but Pakistan booked their place in the final by scoring 18 goals compared with Japan’s 16. Pakistan will face unbeaten hosts Malaysia in Saturday’s final, seeking to avenge their earlier 3-2 defeat in the tournament. The Green-shirts had previously defeated China 8-3 and Canada 6-2 before narrowly losing to Malaysia. Against Japan, Fayyaz scored in the 34th minute, while Mustafa added Pakistan’s second goal in the 43rd minute to help the team secure the decisive draw. Malaysia, meanwhile, have emerged as the tournament’s strongest side after winning all three of their earlier matches. In their previous encounter with Pakistan, Malaysia took the lead through T. Naaveennash Panicker in the 28th minute before Adeel equalised in the 36th minute. Pakistan captain Rana Waleed missed a penalty stroke in the 12th minute, while his red card in the 51st minute left Pakistan with a numerical disadvantage. Malaysia capitalised on the situation, with Safwan Salihe scoring in the 55th minute and Naaveennash adding another goal two minutes later. Pakistan will now have the opportunity to challenge the hosts for the title after their determined performance against Japan secured a place in the final.