Hockey: Today’s match is like a semi-final, says Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh

Olympian Shahnaz wants Pakistan to keep momentum going.

KARACHI: Terming today’s match between Pakistan and Great Britain crucial, Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh has urged the Greenshirts to go all out for victory and not hold themselves back against the hosts. 

Both teams will be playing their third match after similar results that saw them win one and draw the other game in their previous outings.

“This game is like a semi-final for both teams,” Shahnaz told The Express Tribune. “I will advise the team management to go all out for the win. Spain are not having their best campaign and are missing a couple of their key players. If Pakistan manage a win today against Great Britain, who were held by the comparatively weaker South Africa, they will have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals.”

However, the Olympian said both teams will have equal chances of winning the contest.

‘A good start for the team’

Meanwhile, Shahnaz, who was pessimistic about Pakistan’s chances prior to the event, expressed satisfaction after the team managed four points from the two opening games.

“It’s a good start if you see the team’s performance over the last two years. The draw against Spain was a win for me. We were struggling against European teams and finally the draw was a respite. Pakistan also played with a good strategy in the 2-0 win over Argentina. The decision to field youngsters in the initial stages is what I have been recommending.

“Sohail Abbas also did well by changing his angle of drag flicks while goal-keeper [Imran Shah] also bounced back well against Argentina.”

However, Shahnaz advised the team management to adopt more aggression.

“We’re playing with three forwards and that’s encouraging an individual game which is also increasing chances of counter attacks. Our midfield should step up.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2012.