Azlan Shah Cup: A wooden spoon for Pakistan

Chief coach unimpressed with young guns’ show in hockey tournament.

KARACHI: Pakistan failed to save face at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as the hockey team finished last in the six-team tournament after another loss to archrivals India in the fifth-place playoff in Ipoh, Malaysia yesterday.

The Greenshirts went to Malaysia having won three medals on the trot – a bronze at the nine-a-side tournament in Australia, a bronze at the Champions Trophy and a gold medal at the Doha Asian Champions Trophy – before the Azlan Shah Cup.

However, the team failed to capitalise on the confidence, finishing on the bottom like last year’s edition that was contested among seven teams.

Youngsters failed to impress: Rasool

Pakistan included half a dozen new faces for the Azlan Shah Cup for various reasons. They rested the seasoned duo of Shakeel Abbasi and Mohammad Waseem besides experienced players like Mohammad Rizwan and Rashid Mehmood. Mohammad Tauseeq then suffered an injury in the final stages of the training camp and missed out on the touring party.



“Half of our team comprised new players,” Pakistan coach Akhtar Rasool told The Express Tribune from Ipoh while assessing the team’s failure. “The title was not our aim. We wanted to test our youngsters before the Asia Cup and World Cup which are our main targets.

“It was an unprecedented move to test new players in such a big number. This event was the best chance for us to test our youngsters.”

Asked if he found young players with potential, Rasool responded in the negative.

“I won’t point out individuals. Overall, the youngsters disappointed me. It was the perfect chance for them but they failed to impress in most matches. They were satisfactory in just one match against Malaysia.  We will definitely go with senior players now when we play the Asia Cup later this year.”

Another loss to India

Pakistan, who were beaten 3-1 by India in the group stage, suffered another defeat to the archrivals, losing 4-2.

The game between the neighbouring rivals started traditionally involving early aggression from both sides.

Pakistan got the advantage when captain Mohammad Imran struck on a penalty-corner in the eighth minute. Rupinder Pal Singh levelled the score eight minutes later before Mandeep Singh put his team ahead just before half-time.

India then went 3-1 ahead when Malak Singh deflected the ball past Imran but Pakistan reduced the lead when Kashif Shah scored on a deflection.

However, things went beyond Pakistan’s reach
after India were awarded a penalty stroke in the 62nd minute and Rupinder Pal took full advantage.

Australia clinch trophy

Meanwhile, Australia clinched the Azlan Shah Cup after beating Malaysia 3-2 in the final. Nick Budgeon, Craig Boyne and Trent Mitton scored for Australia. In the 3rd place playoff, South Korea prevailed over New Zealand 2-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2013.