After Pakistan s nail-biting win against France in a shootout, the game shifted to the second semifinal between South Korea and the Black Sticks, which finished 2-2 and necessitated a further shootout to determine the winner.

At the beginning of the game a double of goals had secured a 2-0 victory for New Zealand; however, Korea, like Pakistan against France, bettered themselves with two strong penalty corners to take the game into penalties.

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There, New Zealand s 4-3 win and inclusion tonight in the final were assured by the calmness of New Zealand s shooters and the solidity of goalie Dominic Dixon.
Pakistan and New Zealand will battle it out in the Nations Cup final in a rematch of their Pool B contest, with Pakistan winning a 4-3 in the Pool B match.

The stake is high for both Pakistan and New Zealand. For Pakistan, it s about proving that hockey isn’t dead even after decades of inconsistency, whereas for New Zealand, it s all about making a return to the top tier.