Hockey: Extraordinary show required say Olympians

Hockey greats want improved display from team in Champions Trophy.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s loss against Great Britain in the Champions Trophy opener has prompted criticism from former hockey greats, who now want the team to show immediate improvement in the matches ahead.

Pakistan lost to Great Britain 2-1 despite having taken the lead in the match. Olympians have blamed the team for failing to hold on to the lead and have called for an improved showing from the Greenshirts.

“Pakistan missed several goal-scoring chances,” said former captain Samiullah Khan. “Great Britain were comparatively easier opponents and losing against them was a setback because the team will now face tougher opponents in Australia and Spain. Only an extraordinary performance will help the team.”

Former captain Islahuddin Siddiqui stressed that the team needed to avail all goal-scoring opportunities that come their way.

“It’ll make our campaign tough if we continue missing goal-scoring chances,” he said. “There must be a better showing in both attack and defense.”

Meanwhile, rain washed out play on the second day of the Champions Trophy yesterday.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2011.