Hockey: ‘World Cup is our main target’
Hockey team departs for Junior Asia Cup.
KARACHI:
Pakistan junior hockey team left for Malaysia yesterday to take pat in the Junior Asia Cup, aiming to seal its place in the World Cup.
The team, led by Umer Bhutta, is placed in pool B along with India, China and Sri Lanka. South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Iran are placed in pool A. Pakistan will play their first match against China on May 4, India on May 6 and Sri Lanka on May 7.
Team manager and coach Rana Mujahid said a full-strength squad was selected keeping the tournament’s importance in mind.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is our main target,” said the Olympian. “Our team is balanced and we worked hard in the training camp. We are hopeful of achieving our target.”
The squad includes five players who have represented Pakistan’s national side, including Bhutta and his deputy Kashif Shah. The finalists of the eight-team event will make it to the World Cup that is scheduled to take place in India next year.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012.
Pakistan junior hockey team left for Malaysia yesterday to take pat in the Junior Asia Cup, aiming to seal its place in the World Cup.
The team, led by Umer Bhutta, is placed in pool B along with India, China and Sri Lanka. South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Iran are placed in pool A. Pakistan will play their first match against China on May 4, India on May 6 and Sri Lanka on May 7.
Team manager and coach Rana Mujahid said a full-strength squad was selected keeping the tournament’s importance in mind.
“Qualifying for the World Cup is our main target,” said the Olympian. “Our team is balanced and we worked hard in the training camp. We are hopeful of achieving our target.”
The squad includes five players who have represented Pakistan’s national side, including Bhutta and his deputy Kashif Shah. The finalists of the eight-team event will make it to the World Cup that is scheduled to take place in India next year.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012.