Junior Hockey World Cup: National team crosses border with title in mind
Entry to knock-out stages first target of team: head coach.
Pakistan will begin its campaign against Egypt on December 6 in the opening Pool A fixture. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan contingent reached India to compete at the Junior Hockey World Cup with the trophy in their sights as the 16-nation event gets underway from December 6 in New Delhi, India.
According to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official, the team is expected to hold training sessions and practice games before the event.
The junior hockey squad trained for several weeks and underwent strenuous training sessions to prepare for the tournament. The players were also given lectures from various Olympians to prepare for the important tournament.
In addition, before departing, the team played two practice games against the Pakistan senior side and levelled 1-1.
Olympian Manzoorul Hassan, head coach and manager of the team, was satisfied with their preparations.
“We are leaving well prepared,” Hassan told The Express Tribune ahead of the team’s departure on Monday. “The players are in a good rhythm and overall the morale is high.”
Pakistan will begin its campaign against Egypt on December 6 in the opening Pool A fixture. Germany and Belgium comprise the rest of the group.
The colts will then go on to play their second match against Germany on December 8 before meeting Belgium on December 10.
We can’t take any team lightly: Hassan
The head coach said reaching the quarter-finals will be the team’s first target.
“We are placed in a tough group and cannot take any team lightly.
“Definitely, our ultimate aim is to win the title and our first target will be to clear the group stage. We’ll play every match as if it’s the final.”
Hassan added that his team was not under pressure to perform in India.
“All the players are going with a positive frame of mind and all their concentration will be on the matches. Most of the players are also a part of the senior team and can handle pressure. We are hopeful of delivering our best.”
Australia, Spain, Argentina and France form Pool B, while Pool C includes the Netherlands, South Korea, India and Canada. England, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia are placed in Pool D.
The top two teams from each group will enter the quarter-finals.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2013.
The Pakistan contingent reached India to compete at the Junior Hockey World Cup with the trophy in their sights as the 16-nation event gets underway from December 6 in New Delhi, India.
According to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) official, the team is expected to hold training sessions and practice games before the event.
The junior hockey squad trained for several weeks and underwent strenuous training sessions to prepare for the tournament. The players were also given lectures from various Olympians to prepare for the important tournament.
In addition, before departing, the team played two practice games against the Pakistan senior side and levelled 1-1.
Olympian Manzoorul Hassan, head coach and manager of the team, was satisfied with their preparations.
“We are leaving well prepared,” Hassan told The Express Tribune ahead of the team’s departure on Monday. “The players are in a good rhythm and overall the morale is high.”
Pakistan will begin its campaign against Egypt on December 6 in the opening Pool A fixture. Germany and Belgium comprise the rest of the group.
The colts will then go on to play their second match against Germany on December 8 before meeting Belgium on December 10.
We can’t take any team lightly: Hassan
The head coach said reaching the quarter-finals will be the team’s first target.
“We are placed in a tough group and cannot take any team lightly.
“Definitely, our ultimate aim is to win the title and our first target will be to clear the group stage. We’ll play every match as if it’s the final.”
Hassan added that his team was not under pressure to perform in India.
“All the players are going with a positive frame of mind and all their concentration will be on the matches. Most of the players are also a part of the senior team and can handle pressure. We are hopeful of delivering our best.”
Australia, Spain, Argentina and France form Pool B, while Pool C includes the Netherlands, South Korea, India and Canada. England, New Zealand, South Africa and Malaysia are placed in Pool D.
The top two teams from each group will enter the quarter-finals.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2013.