A good chance to beat India: Rehan

Hockey player Rehan Butt believes playing India at neutral venue gives Pakistan a good opportunity to avenge defeats.

LAHORE: Pakistan hockey player Rehan Butt believes that playing India at a neutral venue during the Asian Games will give Pakistan a good opportunity to beat their arch rivals and avenge the two defeats this year.

“It would be a different game when we take on India at the Asian Games,” Rehan told reporters. “On both occasions, in the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games (CWG), India had home advantage and the crowd support but this time they have to play us at a neutral venue which changes things.”

Pakistan have had a disappointing year so far following poor finishes in both events. But Rehan remains confident of a good show in China. Rehan asserted that the participation in the CWG was part of the preparation for the Asian Games.

“Before leaving for the CWG, we did not expect any medal but now is the time for players to perform, qualify for the Olympic Games by bagging a medal in the Asian Games.”

Pakistan begin the last leg of their preparations in Islamabad. The team will stop in Kuala Lumpur next month to play two matches against Malaysia before landing in Guangzhou where they meet hosts China in a practice game ahead of the quadrennial spectacle.

Islah wants PHF to deliver promises

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) promised two years ago that their target was a gold medal in the Asian Games and, according to Olympian Islahuddin Siddique, it is time to deliver those promises.

“Two years ago, the PHF said they would prepare a solid team for the Asian Games and they are highly focused for the prestigious event,” Islah told PPI. “Now is the time the federation show what they did in that time period. They should’ve prepared a team for the Asian Games six months ahead of the event and let the team develop harmony in their game style and coordination. But the team is yet to be decided, when only 20 days are left for the Asian Games to start.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2010.