Greenshirts look to take revenge against archrivals
India coach urges team to control emotions in Azlan Shah Cup match.
KARACHI:
While Pakistan head for their clash against archrivals India with aim of avenging their previous three defeats, India coach Harinder Singh has urged his team to keep emotions in check when the two sides meet today in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
The Greenshirts kicked off the tournament on a positive note, registering victories over New Zealand (4-2) and South Korea (4-2). However, that was followed by losses to Great Britain 3-2 and Australia 5-1.
Although Pakistan’s newly-appointed captain Mohammad Imran earlier admitted that he has set his sights on avenging their defeat against India in the last three encounters, coach Michel van den Heuvel has downplayed the significance of the clash, claiming all participating sides were equally important.
This clash, in northern Malaysia, will have extra significance as both sides vie for a place in the next round.
‘Emotions can cost a lot’
Meanwhile, India coach also follows the thinking-pattern of Heuvel, insisting his team not to get carried away, urging them to take this match as any other in the tournament.
“There is no room for emotions. Such sentiments can cost us the match as you will not be playing for the points. We aim to take it as just another game,” said Harinder Singh.
India - the reigning joint champions with South Korea- lie third in the standings with seven points with two matches to go while Pakistan are one place and one point behind them from the same number of games.
New Zealand take on Malaysia and Australia face Korea in the other matches today. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2011.
While Pakistan head for their clash against archrivals India with aim of avenging their previous three defeats, India coach Harinder Singh has urged his team to keep emotions in check when the two sides meet today in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.
The Greenshirts kicked off the tournament on a positive note, registering victories over New Zealand (4-2) and South Korea (4-2). However, that was followed by losses to Great Britain 3-2 and Australia 5-1.
Although Pakistan’s newly-appointed captain Mohammad Imran earlier admitted that he has set his sights on avenging their defeat against India in the last three encounters, coach Michel van den Heuvel has downplayed the significance of the clash, claiming all participating sides were equally important.
This clash, in northern Malaysia, will have extra significance as both sides vie for a place in the next round.
‘Emotions can cost a lot’
Meanwhile, India coach also follows the thinking-pattern of Heuvel, insisting his team not to get carried away, urging them to take this match as any other in the tournament.
“There is no room for emotions. Such sentiments can cost us the match as you will not be playing for the points. We aim to take it as just another game,” said Harinder Singh.
India - the reigning joint champions with South Korea- lie third in the standings with seven points with two matches to go while Pakistan are one place and one point behind them from the same number of games.
New Zealand take on Malaysia and Australia face Korea in the other matches today. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2011.