Hockey: Don’t expect instant results, says Abbas

Newly appointed hockey captain confident of steady improvement.

KARACHI: Newly appointed Pakistan hockey captain Sohail Abbas has made realistic plans.

The penalty-corner specialist, who will lead the Greenshirts for the first time in the upcoming Azlan Shah Cup that starts in Malaysia on May 24, has said that an instant impact and immediate results should not be expected from the team.

While acknowledging that it will be an honour to lead the team and vowing improvement ahead of the London Olympics, Abbas added that it will take time for the group of players to gel together.

“Our team comprises a lot of youngsters and we haven’t had many opportunities to play together,” Abbas told The Express Tribune. “The coach and the team management are new as well. Under these circumstances, it won’t be possible to deliver immediate results. However, we will try to get our combination right for the Olympics.”

Abbas added that the seven-nation Azlan Shah Cup will be a challenge for his side given the competitive nature of the participating teams.

“All teams are good. Argentina are favourites and we’ll play our first match against them. So we will be looking for a good start as that always helps.”

The world’s leading goal-scorer added that Pakistan, who will play on the blue Astroturf for the first time, will have to adapt to the new conditions quickly.

“New Zealand and Malaysia have shown improvements, while India have always been our traditional rivals. All these teams have experience of playing on the blue Astroturf and we haven’t even seen it yet. Fortunately, the Azlan Shah Cup will be played on blue turf and that will give the team a chance to get accustomed to it before the Olympics.

“I read in media reports that players found it difficult to play on the blue turf in England and the chances of getting injured have increased. We will only get to know the realities once we play on it.”

Meanwhile, Abbas added that he was fit for the tournament and is also helping the younger players in the team in perfecting their penalty-corner skills.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2012.