Hockey: Pakistan look for shock win today

Greenshirts to face Australia in hockey tri-series final.

KARACHI:

Pakistan aim for an upset win over hosts Australia in the tri-series final today and start their ascent back up the rankings after the latest set released by the International Hockey Federation saw them fall to ninth in the world.

The Greenshirts reached the final on a better goal-difference than India, the third team in the tournament, after recording two draws against their arch-rivals and suffering two losses against Australia. The latter have been in a menacing mood, recording emphatic wins over their opponents and scoring 24 goals.

However, the Pakistan team management remains confident of turning the tables on the world champions and the top-ranked team in the world.

“Our players have the potential to cause an upset,” team manager Khwaja Junaid told The Express Tribune. “There’s a huge difference between the sides in terms of rankings but we can still beat them. We’ve learnt a lot by playing against them on the tour and this will help us in the final.”

Junaid felt Pakistan will need to avoid repeating mistakes committed earlier in the tournament to upset Australia.

“Australia are a very tough side and home conditions make them the favourites. We cannot afford to repeat our mistakes in the final.”

Meanwhile, Germany follow Australia in the rankings with Netherlands and Spain completing the top-four. England, Korea, New Zealand and Argentina sit above Pakistan with India placed 10th.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2011.