KARACHI: After five gruelling months of training and preparations, the Pakistan hockey team is ready to face the top sides from around the world in the Champions Trophy, which will be taking place at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India from December 6.
According to head coach and team manager Shahnaz Sheikh, the team will depart today and cross the Wagah Border by bus to reach their destination where they will play a practice match against Argentina on December 3.
“I, along with my support staff, have worked extremely hard with the players for the past five months, trying to fix their techniques,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “We believe that this has led to improvements, as was evident at the Asian Games.”
He said that the players have responded beyond his expectations and his only hope was that they put their training to work against their opponents to avoid disappointing the nation.
“We are trying to arrange more practice matches before the Champions Trophy starts on December 6,” he said. “I am quite hopeful we will get at least two more warm-up games before the event officially kicks off.”
Sheikh further stated that if the team managed to fulfil its goal, it would be a great achievement considering Pakistan has not played any European or top international side for the past 12 months.
“Playing against Asian teams is one thing, while facing the heavyweights of international hockey from other continents is a whole different experience altogether,” he added.
Meanwhile, team captain Muhammad Imran said he was optimistic of their chances at the Champions Trophy since they had trained well.
“We will try our best to compete against the top teams from around the world and at least finish in the top four to make our way back among the best,” said Imran.
Pakistan will play their first match against Belgium on December 6 and their second against England the following day, while their last pool match will be against Australia on December 9.
Interestingly, all teams will play the quarter-finals, with the lowest side from one group facing the top one from the other and vice versa.
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