Greenshirts eye revenge in Asia Cup semi-final today

Pakistan doubly motivated against South Korea in must-win encounter: coach.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s hunger to avenge their Hockey World League (HWL) defeat from last month has given the team added motivation to take on defending champions South Korea in a crunch semi-final battle of the Asia Cup, today in Ipoh.

The greenshirts, ranked eighth in the world, have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the group stages, comprehensively defeating Japan (7-0), hosts Malaysia (4-1) and Chinese Taipei (13-0). However, today’s last-four clash has been dubbed as the team’s biggest test.

South Korea, the highest ranked Asian side in global rankings at sixth position, have already qualified for the World Cup in the Netherlands. Pakistan, however, need the title to book their ticket for The Hague next year.

Pakistan upbeat ahead of last-four clash

Both Pakistan and South Korea, having won the Asia Cup title three times each, met in the final of the event’s last edition in 2009.

And even though Korea defeated the greenshirts, the Asian rivals have yielded mixed results in their last couple of encounters at major events.



Pakistan won the classification match at the London Olympics, beating South Korea 3-2 to finish seventh last year in August. However, the greenshirts faced a dent in the quarter-final of the HWL with a stunning 4-3 blow from South Korea — losing their chance to qualify for the World Cup.

“We have that match [HWL quarter-final] on our minds,” Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman, who accompanied the team as a consultant at the HWL told The Express Tribune on the eve of the semi-final.

“Pakistan were on the losing side in the last Asia Cup final against South Korea. We definitely have revenge in our sights.

“We are also aware of how important this event is for our hockey. The players are twice as motivated for this game — to take revenge and go into the final of the must-win tournament.”

However, the coach added that it will be a challenging match, for which, his team will have to come out firing.

“Yes, it’s our toughest game yet in this event and we will have to give our best shot.”

On another note Zaman, who was speaking after the team’s final training session before the game, expressed confidence in their preparations.

“We have done our homework. We have thoroughly assessed their game and strategy through videos and trained on field.”

‘Salman can play vital role’

Former captain Shahbaz Ahmad Sr hoped goalkeeper Salman Akbar will play a key role in the game.

“Salman has vast experience against European teams and his inclusion can make a difference,” he said.

Another former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh said the match will be the real test for Pakistan, with the squad needing to show an improved performance in all departments. He has advised the team to play an aggressive game.

The other semi-final will be played between hosts Malaysia and India.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2013.

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