Asian Champions Trophy: Struggling Pakistan aim to defend title

Greenshirts strengthen side as senior trio joins team in Japan.

KARACHI: After finishing at the bottom in the four-nation Super Series Hockey 9s in Perth last week, the greenshirts are preparing to defend their Asian Champions Trophy title that begins on Saturday in Japan.

Pakistan, led by seasoned defender Mohammad Imran reached Kakamigahara – the venue of the six-nation tournament – on Monday and are now training extensively according to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official.

The squad, which mainly comprises junior players from the Hockey 9s series, received reinforcement in the shape of Fareed Ahmed, Rizwan Senior and Rashid Mehmood who joined the team in Japan after stints in the Dutch league.



“The team is acclimatising with the conditions well,” the official told The Express Tribune. “We haven’t played any practice game yet but are regularly holding training sessions.”

The national team will open its campaign against Oman on November 2 and will play their second game against China on November 3. They will then meet Malaysia after a rest day. Pakistan are also scheduled to face arch-rivals India on November 7 before meeting the hosts the next day. The final and other classification matches will be played on November 10.

Pakistan claimed the title Asian Champions Trophy in Doha after defeating India 5-4 in the final.

‘We’ll play every match like final’

Captain Mohammad Imran is hoping for reversal in fortunes after earning a wooden spoon in Perth.

“We are looking for a better show in the event,” said Imran in an interview. “There are many youngsters in the team who lack experience but we are still targeting to defend our title. We will not take any team for granted and will play each match like a final.”

The captain however was not disappointed with their last-finish at the Hockey 9s.

“The PHF is introducing youngsters who will take time to give good results. We know that people want us to win but overnight improvement is not possible. Nevertheless, we are working hard to regain our status.”

India to test youngsters as well

India are also testing youngsters in the upcoming tournament as they have rested regular captain Sardara Singh to pave way for young midfielder Manpreet Singh who will lead the side.

Singh recently led the India junior squad to victory in the Sultan of Johor event in Malaysia. Apart from the captain, the team selection has been made in order to give junior players exposure ahead of the Junior World Cup.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2013.

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