In a dramatic semifinal clash at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, Pakistan’s hopes of advancing to the final crumbled as they fell 2-0 to China in a tense penalty shootout.
The regulation time saw both teams locked in a 1-1 stalemate, with China’s Lu Yuanlin opening the scoring in the second quarter. Pakistan responded in the third quarter, with Ahmed Nadeem finding the back of the net to level the score.
Despite battling hard and holding their own throughout the match, Pakistan faltered when it mattered most. In the penalty shootout, they failed to convert a single attempt, while China capitalized on their chances. The shootout ended 2-0 in favor of China, securing their place in the final.
For Pakistan, the loss is a bitter disappointment, especially given their strong performance throughout the tournament. However, the team’s failure to execute under pressure in the shootout ultimately proved costly. China, on the other hand, displayed composure and grit, pulling off a significant win against a traditionally strong opponent.
The result marks a historic moment for China, who will now aim for their first-ever Men’s Asian Champions Trophy title. Meanwhile, Pakistan will need to regroup and focus on securing third place in their final match of the tournament.