Pakistan thrashed China 6-1 in the 5th place playoff match in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023 on Friday (August 11) at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
Muhammad Khan and Muhammad Ammad scored a brace, while Rana Abdul and Abdul Shahid also got on the scoresheet for Pakistan, who end the tournament on a high. Chen Benhai scored a consolation goal for China, who end the tournament without a single win.

Pakistan and China came into the match on the back of disappointing defeats which saw them finish as the two bottom-placed teams. Fifth-placed Pakistan won one, drew two and lost two, while sixth-placed China drew one and lost four matches.
Before the 5th place playoff meeting at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023, Pakistan lost 0-4 to India, and China lost 1-2 to Japan, a result which ended Pakistan's chances of finishing in the top four. Both the matches took place on Wednesday (August 6).
The two teams already clashed in the ACT 2023 round-robin stage, where Muhammad Khan and Afraz Hakeem goals helped Pakistan edge China 2-1. Gao Jiesheng was China's goal-scorer.
The two sides have already crossed paths this season and also earlier in different tournaments. Now, they lock horns again with pride at stake. Here myKhel brings you the highlights and score from the match:
That's all from the Pakistan vs China match, but stay tuned to myKhel.com for the live score and updates from the two semifinals - South Korea vs Malaysia (6 PM) and India vs Japan (8:30 PM).
Best Young Player award goes to Mohammad Ammad, who scored a brace for Pakistan, while Pakistan's captain Umar Bhutta receives the Hero of the match award.
Muhammad Ammad and Muhammad Khan brace along with goals from Abdul Shahid and Rana Abdul sealed the 5th place playoff for Pakistan, who beat China by 6-1. Chen Benhai got a consolation goal for China.
57th Minute: China come close to finding their second of the evening, but the attempt from the penalty corner is saved.
55th Minute: Rana Abdul scores his first of the evening as Pakistan put the game away from reach for China with a sixth goal and the second in the quarter.
52nd Minute: Muhammad Ammad finds his second and stretches Pakistan lead to 5-1 half-way through the first quarter by the smashing in a high ball from a penalty corner.
47th Minute: It's end to end stuff as China hit on the counter after a Pakistani attack, but Chen Benhai misses the chance to score his second.
The fourth and final quarter is underway as China look to find more goals as they trail 1-4 going into the final 15 minutes.
A better quarter for China as they enjoyed more possession and had more circle entry, but still find only one goal in the quarter. Pakistan seem to be relaxed after taking a 4-0 lead in the first quarter.
35th Minute: Pakistan opened the third quarter on the attack, but China win a penalty corner against the run of play and find a goal through Chen Benhai.
Pakistan enter half time with a 4-0 lead over China after Muhammad Khan (brace from penalty corner), Muhammed Ammad and Abdul Shahid field goals in the first 15 minutes of the match. China have a mountain to climb now and will primarily look to stop Pakistan from scoring more.
Just at the stroke of half time, Mohammad Khan came close to scoring a hattrick, but the second quarter ends goalless with both Pakistan and China, who also limited chances, missing their opportunities.
28th Minute: A few moments of misses as Pakistan fail to convert from back to back penalty corners, and China fire wide on the counter.
25th Minute: First Booking of the game goes to Pakistan as Usama Bashir receives a yellow card, which means a five minute suspension. But Pakistan still on top in the match. China's Chen Chongcong also received a two-minute suspension after a green card.
21st Minute: China threaten Pakistan's goal again, but can't find a way past the goalkeeper. The Chinese players have, however, gained a little more possession in the early stages of the second quarter.
The second quarter is underway and China look to find their way back only to see the chance missed as Pakistan regain control.
Pakistan thrash China 4-0 and it's only the first quarter. How much more will they score in the remainder of the match?
15th Minute: Abdul Shahid scores his first of the day and the fourth for Pakistan, who are running riot of China in the first quarter.
12th Minute: Muhammad Khan scores his second from the penalty corner and the third for Pakistan in the space of three minutes.
11th Minute: Muhammad Khan doubles the lead for Pakistan in the space of a minute from the opening goal from the penalty corner.
10 Minute: Muhammed Ammad puts Pakistan in front after dominating play in the early stages.
4th Minute: Pakistan failed to convert the first-minute penalty corner, but have been threatening the Chinese goal with possession and control, entering the circle many times in the early exchanges.
The match gets underway with Pakistan attacking from left to right and winning a penalty corner in the first minute.
China XI: Chen Qijun, Chen Chengfu, Gao Jiesheng, Chen Chongcong, Guo Zixiang, Du Shihao, Chen Benhai, Lin Changliang (captain), Meng Lei, Ao Weibao, Wang Caiyu (goalkeeper).
Pakistan XI: Aqeel Ahmed, Arshad Liaquat, Rana Abdul, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan (captain), Osama Bashir, Muhammad Umar Bhatta (goalkeeper), Muhammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Muhammad Shahzaib Khan, Afraz.
The Pakistan vs China 5th Place Playoff match will start at 3:30 PM IST and the team news will be available soon.
The two sides have crossed paths seven times so far with Pakistan winning all the seven times against China. Even in the round-robin meeting earlier in ACT 2023, Pakistan rode on goals from Muhammad Khan and Afraz Hakeem to edge China 2-1. Gao Jiesheng was China's goal-scorer on that night.
Pakistan and China will battle for pride, having failed to reach the semifinals, which will be played later in the day in Chennai.
Hello all and welcome to the live coverage of the penultimate day's action in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023. The first match of the day is the fifth place playoff between the bottom placed sides Pakistan and China.
Coming up 👉
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 11, 2023
The #MenInBlue are ready to face Japan again to book their spot in the Final and two more scintillating matches for you.
Who will reign supreme?
🏟️ Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium
⏰ 11th August 2023, 3:30 PM IST onwards.
📺 Catch all the action LIVE on Star… pic.twitter.com/ZT6NVCNKDv
Pakistan: Muhammad Umar Bhatta, Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Ehtsham Aslam, Osama Bashir, Aqeel Ahmed, Arshad Liaquat, Muhammad Imad, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf, Roman, Muhammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Muhammad Shahzaib Khan, Afraz, Abdul Rahman.
China: Chen Qijun, Chen Chengfu, Gao Jiesheng, Liu Junjie, Ao Xu, Pan Dongquan, E Wenhui, Chen Chongcong, Guo Zixiang, Du Shihao, Ao Suozhu, Chen Benhai, Lin Changliang, Meng Lei, Ao Weibao, Huang Jingcheng, Zhang Bo, Zhu Weijiang, Wang Weihao, Wang Caiyu.