Friendship Hockey Series: Pakistan want improvement, China just want to learn

Tourists give clean chit to security arrangements, playing conditions.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan-China Friendship Hockey Series kicks off today in Karachi with both teams looking to achieve their respective objectives from the four-match rubber – the hosts want to improve on their recent form while the visitors just want to learn from the hosts.

The series, that marks the return of international hockey in Pakistan, will see the first two matches taking place at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP), under criticism for the state of its turf. Following that, the series moves to Faisalabad and then to Lahore where the final match will take place.

China, who have a relatively inexperienced outfit, will be treating the series as a learning opportunity and coach Li Gaochao said that the series will help his team achieve its long-term objective of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics.

“We’re here to learn from Pakistan,” said Gaochao in a press conference. “They have high standards and we’ll try to learn from them as we seek a place in the 2016 Olympics. Pakistan have helped us in developing our hockey as initially our coaches were trained here.”

Goachao was also impressed with the hospitality and security arrangements made for the series.

“We received a very warm welcome and people are showing us a lot of affection. We were assured top-level security and I’m satisfied with the arrangements,” he said before expressing the desire to make the series a regular feature on the calendar.

Clean chit to HCP conditions

The state of the HCP, which drew heavy criticism before the series, got the thumbs-up from the visiting team.

“We haven’t found anything wrong with it,” said China captain Song Yi. “We practised for a full session and the conditions, including the standard of the astro-turf appeared to be fine.”

Imran wants unity

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran, who was unhappy with the team spirit displayed during the Champions Trophy, hoped for reversed fortunes in the series.

“Hopefully we’ll display better teamwork than we displayed in the Champions Trophy,” Imran told The Express Tribune. “China defeated us in the 2006 Asian Games semi-finals and they’re not going to be easy opponents. We’ll have to work hard to beat them as they’ve shown improvement in recent times.”

Team manager Khwaja Junaid hoped the side will deliver an improved show.

“The team management wasn’t satisfied with our display in the Champions Trophy,” he said. “I’m hoping we won’t repeat our mistakes. Doing well at the Olympics is our ultimate goal and this series will play an important part in our preparations.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2011.