Hockey: ‘Handle pressure, lift trophy’
Pakistan and India go head-to-head today for the Asian Champions Trophy in what is expected to be a high-scoring encounter given the weak defence on both sides, according to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief selector Hanif Khan.
The teams played out a 2-2 draw on Friday and courtesy Japan’s 3-2 loss to Malaysia, India sealed its place in the final for a repeat of their last league match.
‘Single goal will decide match’
According to Khan, history will favour the Greenshirts and that they would come out victorious by a slim single-goal margin.
“India’s defence is as weak as Pakistan’s,” Khan told The Express Tribune. “We have scored 13 goals and conceded 10 which pretty much sums up the performance of the team. The number is exposing our defence line and that’s where we are lacking.
“Our opponents are just as clumsy in defence as we are but we have an advantage over them through our finishing. Our forwards are better than theirs so, based on that, I see the trophy coming our way.”
Handling pressure key to success: Butt
Meanwhile, Rehan Butt, who was omitted from the squad as the PHF opted for fresh legs, said that the game will be about nerves and whichever team handles pressure well would win the match. Recalling the last time Pakistan played a final against India – eight years ago – Butt termed this a perfect opportunity for the Greenshirts to stamp their superiority in the continent, especially after winning the Asian Games gold last year.
Predicting a shootout to decide the final, Butt said that Pakistan would need to score first in order to survive.
“It’s going to be a close match,” said Butt. “Both teams share the same weaknesses so whoever handles pressure well, will win. Both teams are experimenting with younger players and there are seniors missing from both squads but I do believe that our youngsters have supported the seniors well.
“Keeping the Azlan Shah Cup and the Asian Games in mind, Pakistan has a greater chance today.”
Score quick: Sheikh
Similarly, former Pakistan forward and Olympian Shehnaz Shiekh has predicted that the Greenshirts will defeat India 4-3 in a high-scoring match.
He also pointed out the weaknesses in Pakistan defence and said that the team badly missed Sohail Abbas in the tournament and that they would need to show a lot of aggression and score in the opening ten minutes in order to prevail.
Chief selector Hanif Khan
“We have scored 13 goals and conceded 10 which pretty much sums up the performance of the team. The number is exposing our defence line.”
Former captain Rehan Butt
“Both teams share the same weaknesses so whoever handles pressure well, will win. Keeping the Asian Games result in mind, Pakistan has a greater chance today.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2011.
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Best of Luck you guys
Clash of the Titan.:)))))