Greenshirts looked off-colour in the decisive match as they faced their first major test against South Korea where penalty-corners were in focus. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan, once the most successful side in the history of hockey’s World Cup, failed to qualify for next year’s edition following a 2-1 defeat to South Korea in their Asia Cup semi-final in Ipoh, Malaysia yesterday.
The four-time World Cup champions had entered the Asia Cup desperately needing the title to book their place for the 2014 global tournament in The Hague, Netherlands.
Pakistan got off to a good start in the Asian event, winning all their group matches in which they scored 24 goals and conceded just one.
However, they looked off-colour in the decisive match as they faced their first major test against South Korea where penalty-corners were in focus. The first-half saw Mohammad Imran’s side giving an even fight to their opponents. However, they conceded a goal in the 31st minute on a penalty-corner.
South Korea then doubled their lead in another penalty-corner, six minutes into the second-half.
Pakistan missed a couple of chances before Imran finally succeeded on a 46th minute penalty-corner, his third direct attempt to reduce the lead.
The team failed to build on the goal and missed a few more chances, allowing the Koreans to walk away with a 2-1 win. The result effectively knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup qualification.
In all, the green-shirts earned five penalty corners but there was no variation as they made direct attempts in all the chances.
Olympians rue ‘heartbreaking moment’
Meanwhile, the hockey legends who had been a part of the national team when they were on peak were appalled at the fiasco.“Once we were primarily known for our hockey, but now we have lost that identity,” Olympian Qamar Zia told The Express Tribune while lamenting the loss.
“I never thought we will see this day. I am shattered over the current state of affairs.”
Another Olympian Samiullah Khan – famously known as the ‘Flying Horse’ – also expressed his dejection.
“It is heart-breaking to witness hockey at its lowest ebb,” he said, simultaneously asking the current Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials and team management to resign.
“They had four years to raise the game but they failed. In fact, the sport declined further. The top PHF officials should step down to give competent people a chance.
“The Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games will be held [next year] in which a better set-up can start the repair work.” Commenting on the match, Samiullah said Pakistan lost in the second-half and wasted chances that cost them a crucial win.
Butt optimistic about future
Meanwhile, former captain Rehan Butt lashed out at coach Tahir Zaman for the loss but was careful not to direct any criticism at the PHF.
“There was no planning,” he said. “The penalty-corners were the decisive factor in which we failed. We didn’t dare an indirect attempt on five opportunities which indicates the coach’s failure.
“Definitely, it’s a sad day for hockey lovers but PHF should not be blamed as they brought in the best coach who unfortunately didn’t deliver. I wouldn’t say that our future is dark; many talented youngsters are getting ready for the international stage,” said Butt, who also coaches the national U16 team.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.
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@Ahmed: India cannot fix the match,without active participation of your players.Shame on Pakistani players for allowing themselves to be bought.
@ahmed-still denying ur defeat? I mean u dont even have trust in your own team that they can be easily purchased by anyone? They tried and they lost...It was just a game brother
About time India stop interfering in our affairs. India clearly fixed the match to stop Pakistan from qualifying so that they can have a clean sweep at the Asian Championship (and of course to deny Pakistan entry to the World cup, something that will make every Indian happy). As everybody knows, Pakistan are more than capable of defeating India.
I am from India and saw this match in full and must say,, it was heart breaking to see Pakistan lose this one. They deserved to win, they were playing very well in this tournament but i guess they failed in strategy at some level, did not trying any variation in penalty corners, which were in focus. Shakeel Abbasi was completely blocked by Koreans, and that should have created more spaces for other forwards but...But there is no point cursing the team, it is a brilliant team with fabulous players, sad they failed but it's ok...one should not discard players for one performance, they have capacity to bounce back in real colors. Wish you all the best Pakistan team...Come on guys, lets show the world mettle of our brand of hockey. God bless.
I seen mech live, from bigning it was fixed.
Need to Learn from mistakes,.