Hockey Junior World Cup: Pakistan colts to play senior counterparts
Team management plans four practice games in camp’s final phase .
A total of 40 players took part in the opening phase of the camp that began last month in Islamabad. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
KARACHI:
Pakistan hockey team probables, preparing for next month’s Junior World Cup, will reassemble in Lahore for the final phase of their training camp starting today.
A total of 40 players took part in the opening phase of the camp that began last month in Islamabad. However, only 29 players were selected to attend the second and final phase.
Team head coach and manager Manzoorul Hassan said that an extensive programme has been planned for the final session that will continue till the team’s departure.
As many as 16 teams will vie for honours at the Junior World Cup scheduled to be held from December 6-15 in New Delhi.
“Our plans also include four practice matches with the senior team,” Hassan told The Express Tribune.
“The players will come after a week’s break. We will assess their fitness before finalising the schedule of these matches.
“The idea is to give adequate match practice to junior probables and matches against their senior counterparts will rightly serve the purpose.”
The Pakistan senior team, comprising several members of the junior team, recently retained with the Asian Champions Trophy title in Japan.
The junior teams have been divided into four groups with Pakistan slotted in Pool A along with Egypt, Germany and Belgium.
“We are in a tough group and our initial target will be to clear the first stage,” concluded Hassan.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2013.
Pakistan hockey team probables, preparing for next month’s Junior World Cup, will reassemble in Lahore for the final phase of their training camp starting today.
A total of 40 players took part in the opening phase of the camp that began last month in Islamabad. However, only 29 players were selected to attend the second and final phase.
Team head coach and manager Manzoorul Hassan said that an extensive programme has been planned for the final session that will continue till the team’s departure.
As many as 16 teams will vie for honours at the Junior World Cup scheduled to be held from December 6-15 in New Delhi.
“Our plans also include four practice matches with the senior team,” Hassan told The Express Tribune.
“The players will come after a week’s break. We will assess their fitness before finalising the schedule of these matches.
“The idea is to give adequate match practice to junior probables and matches against their senior counterparts will rightly serve the purpose.”
The Pakistan senior team, comprising several members of the junior team, recently retained with the Asian Champions Trophy title in Japan.
The junior teams have been divided into four groups with Pakistan slotted in Pool A along with Egypt, Germany and Belgium.
“We are in a tough group and our initial target will be to clear the first stage,” concluded Hassan.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 19th, 2013.