F.P. Report
Japan emerged victorious in the final of the U-18 Asia Hockey Cup 2025, defeating Pakistan 3-0 in a commanding performance that sealed their claim to the title.
The tournament concluded with a one-sided final in which the Japanese side outclassed their Pakistani counterparts across three quarters of the game.
The match, held in the Chinese city of Dalian, saw Japan take an early lead and never look back, ending Pakistan’s unbeaten streak in the tournament.
Yuma Fujiwara was the star of the final, scoring a brace with goals in the 22nd and 38th minutes, giving Japan a comfortable cushion by halftime.
The third goal came in the 49th minute when Tatsuaki Yasui successfully converted a penalty corner, effectively sealing the win and Japan’s hold on the prestigious youth title.
Pakistan had entered the final with an impressive unbeaten record.
They edged past Malaysia in a dramatic semi-final that ended in a 3-3 draw in regulation time and was decided by a nail-biting 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout.
The Green Shirts had shown strong form throughout the tournament, defeating hosts China 2-1 in the quarterfinals to secure their place in the final four.
In earlier group-stage matches, Pakistan delivered dominant performances, routing Hong Kong 8-0, thrashing Sri Lanka 9-0, and overpowering Bangladesh 6-3.
The team appeared to be on a steady path toward clinching the title before falling short in the final showdown.
The defeat, however, marks another missed opportunity for Pakistan’s junior team, following their 6-2 loss to New Zealand in the final of the FIH Nations Cup last month in Kuala Lumpur, where the Kiwis successfully defended their title.
Japan’s emphatic win in the U-18 Asia Cup further cements their rising stature in youth hockey, while Pakistan will look to build on their strong campaign and address critical gaps ahead of future international competitions.
