Asia Cup: ‘We have lost our identity’

Pakistan fail to qualify for 2014 World Cup for first time in history after 2-1 loss in semi-final.

KARACHI:

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 31^st, 2013.

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