Greenshirts depart for Asia Cup to salvage history
Pakistan captain Imran believes qualifying for World Cup is not ‘impossible’.
The greenshirts are taking a winning attitude to the tournament despite claims from former players and experts that the Asia Cup assignment was mission impossible. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Aware of the importance of the Asia Cup, the Pakistan hockey team will depart for Malaysia today to compete in the eight-nation tournament starting August 24 in Ipoh.
The team continued to train in Lahore despite continuous rain and wrapped up their preparatory camp yesterday with the sole mission to win the title.
The upcoming tournament is a must-win event for the greenshirts to qualify for the World Cup in the Netherlands next year.
Pakistan have never failed to qualify for the global tournament, but this time, the four-time champions are on the verge of a heartbreak, having wasted an opportunity during the Hockey World League with a seventh-place finish.
‘Not mission impossible’
The Asia Cup trophy has eluded Pakistan for the past 24 years as the three-time champions clinched their last title in 1989 and previously won it in 1982 and 1989. They were losing finalists in the last edition to South Korea four years ago.
Many former Olympians have already started declaring the Asia Cup assignment as an uphill task, but Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran believes otherwise.
“It is tough but it’s not mission impossible,” Imran told The Express Tribune after the training camp’s conclusion.
“We are being positive and believe that we are capable of winning the tournament, especially since the team has done well at the Asian level recently.
“The team is aware that it’s a do-or-die challenge and all the players have prepared according to the importance of this tournament.”
Imran looked content with the team combination that saw the return of goal-keeper Salman Akbar.
“It’s a blend of experience and youth. Akbar’s return can be highly beneficial considering his vast experience. We also got back Waseem [Ahmed] who can boost the team’s performance.”
Team has different strategy for every game: coach
Pakistan are in Pool A along with Malaysia, Japan and China while India, South Korea, Oman and Bangladesh have been placed in Pool B.
Tahir Zaman, who will start his new stint as national coach with the crucial event, stated that each team will be a challenge during the competition.
“We have tried our level best to prepare for this event,” said Zaman, who replaced Olympian Hanif Khan. “Any team can be tough on the day, so we have different strategies according to the opponents we face. Players underwent a video analysis of all opposing teams in order to gauge their strengths.
“During the camp, we have worked to eliminate weaknesses that have hurt us before.”
Meanwhile Akbar, who was recalled after almost two years, said he would play his heart out to pay back the team management’s faith in him.
“I will not let the team management down and will use all my experience,” said Akbar. “Each player is eager to perform and we are resolute. My aim is to play a key role during the campaign.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2013.
Aware of the importance of the Asia Cup, the Pakistan hockey team will depart for Malaysia today to compete in the eight-nation tournament starting August 24 in Ipoh.
The team continued to train in Lahore despite continuous rain and wrapped up their preparatory camp yesterday with the sole mission to win the title.
The upcoming tournament is a must-win event for the greenshirts to qualify for the World Cup in the Netherlands next year.
Pakistan have never failed to qualify for the global tournament, but this time, the four-time champions are on the verge of a heartbreak, having wasted an opportunity during the Hockey World League with a seventh-place finish.
‘Not mission impossible’
The Asia Cup trophy has eluded Pakistan for the past 24 years as the three-time champions clinched their last title in 1989 and previously won it in 1982 and 1989. They were losing finalists in the last edition to South Korea four years ago.
Many former Olympians have already started declaring the Asia Cup assignment as an uphill task, but Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran believes otherwise.
“It is tough but it’s not mission impossible,” Imran told The Express Tribune after the training camp’s conclusion.
“We are being positive and believe that we are capable of winning the tournament, especially since the team has done well at the Asian level recently.
“The team is aware that it’s a do-or-die challenge and all the players have prepared according to the importance of this tournament.”
Imran looked content with the team combination that saw the return of goal-keeper Salman Akbar.
“It’s a blend of experience and youth. Akbar’s return can be highly beneficial considering his vast experience. We also got back Waseem [Ahmed] who can boost the team’s performance.”
Team has different strategy for every game: coach
Pakistan are in Pool A along with Malaysia, Japan and China while India, South Korea, Oman and Bangladesh have been placed in Pool B.
Tahir Zaman, who will start his new stint as national coach with the crucial event, stated that each team will be a challenge during the competition.
“We have tried our level best to prepare for this event,” said Zaman, who replaced Olympian Hanif Khan. “Any team can be tough on the day, so we have different strategies according to the opponents we face. Players underwent a video analysis of all opposing teams in order to gauge their strengths.
“During the camp, we have worked to eliminate weaknesses that have hurt us before.”
Meanwhile Akbar, who was recalled after almost two years, said he would play his heart out to pay back the team management’s faith in him.
“I will not let the team management down and will use all my experience,” said Akbar. “Each player is eager to perform and we are resolute. My aim is to play a key role during the campaign.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2013.