Hockey: Pakistan hold Germany in CT warm-up

Manager terms drawn hockey match a positive start.

KARACHI: A goal by Waqas Sharif allowed Pakistan to hold Olympic champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in their only warm-up match ahead of the hockey Champions Trophy that starts on Saturday in Auckland.

Pakistan, who defeated world champions Australia in their last international outing to win the tri-nation series, looked impressive against the Germans and according to team manager Khawaja Junaid, the match will help Pakistan get used to the conditions.

“It was a good contest and we made the Germans work hard,” Junaid told The Express Tribune from Auckland. “I’m quite satisfied with the start we have and it’ll help us get used to the conditions and the weather. We won’t be playing any more warm-up matches but will instead focus on training.”

Pakistan are placed in Group A along with Australia, Great Britain and Spain in the eight-nation event with the other group consisting of Germany, Netherlands, Korea and New Zealand.

The Asian Games winners will open their campaign against Great Britain on the opening day and will take on Spain the following day, with a high-profile clash against Australia scheduled for December 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2011.