Abbas leads Pakistan to win in hockey final
Penalty-corner specialist scores brace as Ireland defeated in four-nation tournament.
KARACHI:
Penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas led the way as Pakistan clinched the UCD Four-Nation Hockey Tournament after beating Ireland 2-1 in the final in Dublin.
The world’s leading goal-scorer scored twice in the second-half after both teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the first interval. The break seemed to help Pakistan with Abbas converting a penalty corner five minutes into the second-half. However, the hosts levelled 14 minutes later through John Jermyn.
Luck seemed to favour the Greenshirts as they won another penalty corner and Abbas made no mistake. The Asian Games champions made it 2-1 and sustained their lead to clinch the tournament.
“It’s a good win for us,” team manager Khwaja Junaid told The Express Tribune from Dublin. “Although the opponents in this tournament weren’t highly-ranked, the way the players adjusted to the tough conditions is commendable.
“The victory will help us in the Rabo Bank where we will face some of the top teams,” added the Olympian.
Pakistan’s next assignment is the Four-Nation Rabo Hockey Tournament that starts tomorrow in Amstelveen where Germany, England and hosts Netherlands will also take part. Pakistan face Netherlands in the opening match of the tournament.
‘Dublin triumph not a huge achievement’
While Pakistan secured their first title of the year by winning the Dublin event, national chief selector Hanif Khan is not thoroughly impressed with the victory.
“It’s not a huge achievement,” said Hanif. “The victory may have boosted the team’s confidence but our focus is on the top sides.
“I’ll say that Pakistan can do better if they perform well against teams like Australia and Netherlands. The team is in Europe as part of preparations for the Champions Trophy and the London Olympics.”
Abbas praised
Meanwhile, Hanif added that Abbas, who ended as the team’s highest scorer in the tournament with four goals in as many matches, has so far proved his critics wrong.
“He has done well,” said Hanif. “All the senior players including Abbas will take part in next year’s Olympics if they continue to give a good performance.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2011.
Penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas led the way as Pakistan clinched the UCD Four-Nation Hockey Tournament after beating Ireland 2-1 in the final in Dublin.
The world’s leading goal-scorer scored twice in the second-half after both teams were deadlocked 0-0 at the first interval. The break seemed to help Pakistan with Abbas converting a penalty corner five minutes into the second-half. However, the hosts levelled 14 minutes later through John Jermyn.
Luck seemed to favour the Greenshirts as they won another penalty corner and Abbas made no mistake. The Asian Games champions made it 2-1 and sustained their lead to clinch the tournament.
“It’s a good win for us,” team manager Khwaja Junaid told The Express Tribune from Dublin. “Although the opponents in this tournament weren’t highly-ranked, the way the players adjusted to the tough conditions is commendable.
“The victory will help us in the Rabo Bank where we will face some of the top teams,” added the Olympian.
Pakistan’s next assignment is the Four-Nation Rabo Hockey Tournament that starts tomorrow in Amstelveen where Germany, England and hosts Netherlands will also take part. Pakistan face Netherlands in the opening match of the tournament.
‘Dublin triumph not a huge achievement’
While Pakistan secured their first title of the year by winning the Dublin event, national chief selector Hanif Khan is not thoroughly impressed with the victory.
“It’s not a huge achievement,” said Hanif. “The victory may have boosted the team’s confidence but our focus is on the top sides.
“I’ll say that Pakistan can do better if they perform well against teams like Australia and Netherlands. The team is in Europe as part of preparations for the Champions Trophy and the London Olympics.”
Abbas praised
Meanwhile, Hanif added that Abbas, who ended as the team’s highest scorer in the tournament with four goals in as many matches, has so far proved his critics wrong.
“He has done well,” said Hanif. “All the senior players including Abbas will take part in next year’s Olympics if they continue to give a good performance.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2011.