Greenshirts finish first phase of training camp

Hockey coach Zaman satisfied with Asia Cup preparations.

KARACHI: The first phase of Pakistan hockey team’s training camp for the Asia Cup concluded yesterday in Lahore with the team management declaring preparations ‘on track’.

Pakistan are in a must-win situation as only securing the Asia Cup title will ensure their qualification for next year’s World Cup in the Netherlands.

The greenshirts missed the opportunity of cementing their berth after finishing seventh at the Hockey World League.

However, the team is upbeat and worked extensively in the first phase of the camp that started last month.

“The team had beneficial sessions in the first phase,” national team’s coach Tahir Zaman told The Express Tribune.

“Attack, defence and fitness remained our main focus. As per my assessment, the players are improving and we are hopeful of an improved performance from them. The ratio of missing goal-scoring opportunities is also expected to decrease as we have worked a lot on it.”

Zaman said the team is desperate to win the Asia Cup title.

“Everybody knows how important this tournament is for us. Each and every player is focused and is working very hard. We have witnessed a change of attitude in them which is a positive sign.”

The coach added that the training session will resume on August 12.

“The players will report a day before we resume training that will continue till our departure on August 19.”

The Asia Cup will begin from August 24 in Ipoh, Malaysia, with arch-rival India, South Korea and the hosts to be the main hurdles for the greenshirts in their title hunt.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2013.

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