Former Olympian Shehnaz Sheikh said that the team lost the battle after the 6-1 defeat against Germany in the second match. PHOTO: hockeyindia.org/
Pakistan failed to progress into the last-eight of the tournament, finishing third in the group of four, only a step ahead of Egypt.
They barely won against Egypt, the lowest ranked side in the pool, 3-2 in their opening match.
Sheikh said that the team lost the battle after the 6-1 defeat against Germany in the second match. The greenshirts drew the last pool match to Belgium 2-2 on Tuesday.
“Playing against Belgium was just a formality,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “We went out of the running with the defeat from Germany. There was no way that Pakistan could’ve scored 11 goals against Belgium.”
Sheikh pointed out that the team only scored six goals and conceded 10 in their three matches.
“The problem was the lack of fitness in our players. They just can’t play back-to-back matches, and hence seemed exhausted in the second match against Germany.”
Sheikh said that the coaches and the team management include former players who were all defenders in their time.
“Pakistan played a very defensive game,” he said. “There was no balance between attack and defense.”
“If you look at the composition of the team and the management you’ll see that even Manzoorul Hassan was a defender in his time.
“They need to understand that we can’t survive without playing an attacking game. The forwards had no confidence.”
Olympian Hanif Khan echoed Sheikh’s views on the coaches and the management.
“Rana Mujahid trained these players for four years, and then just handed over the team to Manzoor at the last moment,” said Khan. “It’s not only unfair to Manzoor but also to the players. Throughout the tournament they seemed uncomfortable.
“The players can only follow the instructions. They are talent but mismanaged. Rana should’ve finished the job instead of just brushing his hands off the responsibility after he was elected as the secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation.”
Meanwhile, former captain and Olympian Rehan Butt said that the players did not have the capacity to deliver in the first place.
“This lot didn’t have the talent. It’s up to the players to deliver in the field and coaches can only help to a certain extent,” said Butt. “The goal-keepers were disappointing and overall they failed to perform.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2013.
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@shahid: I am totally agree with all the views you mentioned. I spend time in Germany I have seen them they practice so much compare to Pakistani who do every thing halfheartedly. Only difference among both teams the hard work and non else. I lived in Germany and played hockey there I have seen the difference among Pakistani and Germany working habit. **
*> Hard work always pays. Dont go for
**
Only way to win Hockey do lot practice and training in Pakistan and do it with dedication and commitment, Dont waste time in other things. Y German won because we seen they played well. y they played well bcz they trained so much and have hard work in Germany for game. I seen German worked so hard for win any sport.
@Shahid does not know what he is talking about. Hockey players from even immature local college teams cannot afford to indulge in the activities you mention. I know boys who play hockey just for fun but still keep a strict practice, diet and excercise schedule. Its such a tough game, unlike cricket, that a person with even a hint of lax lifestyle will not survive ten minutes in any hockey game whatsoever.
@shahid: dont know where you get your information from. They do not have time to play card games, nor will they ever be drinking. They get single beds, anywhere from two to four boys in a room. Their breakfast, lunches and dinners are well monitored and no boy will ever have had an excessive meal. They spend more time on the field whether playing an official match or having a team practice session than anything else, when abroad. Their team practices are well fit throughout their itineraries and yes they do get to practice as a team and develop well coded strategies and play methods.
Pakistan has only lost to one team in this tournament out of four. They lost to defending champions Germany. They tied with Belgium. In fact Pakistan was the only team undefeated Belgium was unable to defeat, despite being European Champions. Pakistan also defeated Egypt and South Africa.
Dont just think that Pakistan should be able to win each and every game. Every one is there to win, no country comes with a poor form just to let you win. Pakistan when they lose, lose to teams known for their brilliance (Germany for example has scored the most goals in the tournament in all four of their games so.)
If you actually follow the team, the sport and in particular the entire 70 minutes of the game you would see the brilliance and tactful strategies of our boys that leave even the commentators blown away.
Losing 1 out of 4 games is hardly a reason to say they are the black mark on your country. You can go clean up the country with some work of your own and then dare raise a question on 18 of the hardest working and least recognised boys Ive ever come across. I'd be surprised if you were able to even name half of the team of your national sport.
The only way we can rise in Hockey is by hiring foreign coaches. Our former Olympians are out of sync with modern hockey and they should not be part of the set up going forward.
Make them sleep, sit, play card games, talk their mouth off, drink soft and sometimes hard drinks; when away from home sleep in doubled up bed with some nice one night fling; then when next day they are supposed to be in the field they are having either a double breakfast or a over sumptuous lunch, then cannot move making hard to even keep their eyes open, looking for Glory?? Actually they should get their hinds kicked. No practice as a team to perfect passing and dodging opponents, no exercise, no runners- 10 km or 15 km daily, knees wobble, no strength on arms as half way hockey stick become too heavy, And then you go to play world class teams who are serious about their game and are their country's pride, and then you dream that the world cup or the trophy will be gifted to you??? You guys are a shame and black mark to the name of my country;