Sultan of Johor Cup: Junior hockey team to depart for Malaysia

Head coach Zaman aiming for a top-three finish in six-nation tournament

KARACHI: With an aim to finish in the top three, Pakistan’s junior hockey team will leave for Malaysia on Wednesday to participate in the Sultan of Johor Junior Hockey Tournament in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from October 11-18.

According to chief coach Tahir Zaman, the players attended a two-month training camp and are ready to face off against top-ranked teams.

“We are aiming to end our campaign in good stead, but our main motive is to gain experience for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup,” Zaman told The Express Tribune.

The youngsters, who had been in Rawalpindi for the training camp, will now reassemble in Lahore on Wednesday to leave for Malaysia.

Assistant coach Irfan Senior said the team has been absent from the international circuit since last year, necessitating all-out rigorous practice sessions over two months. “We have worked really hard and I believe this tournament will help them boost their skills for the big matches,” he said. “We have also worked on their basic skills and have trained them individually, which will surely bear results in Malaysia.”

The team will open its campaign against arch-rivals India on October 11 before taking on Australia the following day. Thereafter, the youngsters will face Argentina on October 14, England on October 15 and hosts Malaysia on October 17.

Once the Sultan of Johor Cup ends, Pakistan will stay back to prepare for the Junior Asia Cup which will also be held in Malaysia the following month.

Meanwhile, three players out of the departing 21 will return before the Asian event begins.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2015.

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