The Pakistan national hockey team is gearing up for an important tour to South Korea, departing on Saturday with the same squad that recently competed at the 2026 FIH World Cup. According to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), this trip is designed to enhance the team's preparations for the upcoming Asian Games, which will commence later this month in Japan.
Scheduled from September 6 to September 14, the eight-day tour will feature joint training sessions and three practice matches against the South Korean team. The Pakistan squad is expected to arrive in South Korea on September 6, with their first training session kicking off the following day. The first of the three practice matches is set for September 8, providing an early opportunity for the players to acclimatize and refine their strategies.
Following the initial match, the team will engage in additional training sessions on September 9 and 10, before facing South Korea again on September 11 for the second practice match. Another training session is planned for September 12, leading up to the final practice game on September 13. The team will then return to Pakistan on the night of September 14, having completed a rigorous training schedule aimed at fine-tuning their skills.
The PHF has confirmed that the squad for this tour remains unchanged from the one that participated in the World Cup, indicating confidence in the players' abilities as they prepare for the Asian Games. This continuity is crucial as the team aims to build on their recent experiences and address any weaknesses identified during the World Cup, where Pakistan finished in 11th place.
The Asian Games represent a significant challenge for the national team, which has been placed in Group B alongside Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan, and Thailand. Group A includes strong contenders such as India, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 1, with the final match set for October 3.
Pakistan's first match in the Asian Games will be against Thailand on September 20, followed by matches against Uzbekistan on September 22, China on September 24, Malaysia on September 26, and Oman on September 28. This series of games will be critical for the team as they seek to establish momentum and confidence heading into the tournament.
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