Champions Trophy: Ex-hockey coach for special strategy to improve performances

Says Pakistan needs a lot of hard work and commitment to overcome its opponents.

LAHORE: Former national hockey coach Khawaja Mohamamd Junaid called for a special strategy for the national side in order to enhance its performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament starting from December 22 in Melbourne.      

"Pakistan hockey team will be playing two back-to-back tournaments in Australia – the nine-a-side International Super Series, followed by the Champions Trophy - and these are the two tough assignments which require special match planning to cope with the might of the opponents,” he told APP here on Monday.

Junaid said the nine-a-side tournament will provide the team with much needed match practice ahead of its participation in the Champions Trophy, which is a high ranking international tournament.

"Pakistan, being the number seven in world wide ranking, needs a lot of hard work and commitment to overcome its opponents and a good result in nine-a-side event can be a good inspiration to perform in the Champion Trophy,” he asserted.

The former captain said that if the Pakistani players play to their full potential, they can beat any team, no matter how superior it is.

"What’s needed is a show of full strength on the part of the players in both the events in Australia to lift team's ranking,” he added.

"Before playing the Champions Trophy, we can look into our weakness in the nine-a-side tournament to come up with a special match plan to exhibit a higher level of play," he maintained.

He wished the team good luck and hoped it will rise up to expectations.