KUALA LUMPUR – Japan men’s hockey head coach Yoshihiro Anai has expressed disappointment after his side failed to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing Nations Cup.
The 37-year-old, who was appointed by the Japan Hockey Association (JHA) in March last year, made his remarks following a 3-2 defeat to Pakistan at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
It marked Japan’s second consecutive loss in Group B, after falling 2-1 to New Zealand on Sunday.
Speaking to Scoop after the match, Yoshihiro said he is determined for his side to at least end the group stage with a win when they face Malaysia on Wednesday.
“We’re disappointed to be knocked out of the tournament in this manner, and I’m not at all satisfied with my players’ performance. We must ensure we end our group campaign with a win against Malaysia.
“There is a lot for us to improve on, and we need to start immediately by playing more matches and working hard in preparation for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games,” said Yoshihiro.
Meanwhile, Pakistan forward Rana Waheed Ashraf revealed that their head coach, Tahir Zaman, had instructed the team to approach the match with a must-win mindset to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Pakistan now have four points from two matches.
“We approached this game with a must-win mindset after yesterday’s draw against Malaysia, and I’m pleased our plans worked against a very tough opponent. We now have a better chance of reaching the semi-finals, and I’m proud to have played a role in this victory.
“However, just because we won today doesn’t mean we can afford to take our next opponent lightly. We must win that match as well to secure our place in the last four.
“We know New Zealand are a strong team, but we have the willpower on our side and, InsyaAllah, we can overcome them on Wednesday,” said Rana Waheed.
Pakistan’s goals came through Rana Waheed, Ali Ghazanfar, and Sufyan Khan, who all delivered strong performances to keep their team ahead in a tightly contested game.
Japan responded with goals from Matsumoto Kazumasa and Yamasaki Koji but fell short despite applying heavy pressure in the final quarter.
The match was intense throughout, with both sides showcasing speed and skill. However, Pakistan’s defence held firm in the closing minutes to seal the win. — June 16, 2025