Pakistan, India square off in hockey today
India pummelled Pakistan 4-1 in the World Cup at the start of the year and inflicted a 7-4 defeat on their arch-rivals at the Commonwealth Games last month. But Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf feels that his team are in a strong position to beat India and settle the score.
“We have revenge on our minds and have a very good chance of accomplishing it as the match is at a neutral venue,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “But we shouldn’t fall victim to our nerves. It all depends on how we play in the first 20 minutes. If we can succeed in taking early control, we have a very good chance of winning.”
Pakistan outclassed Hong Kong 12-0 and defeated Japan 8-2 in their first two matches of the event, which Ashraf feels have given the team a much-needed boost ahead of the important clash.
Amir in squash semis
Pakistan displayed a fine performance in squash and volleyball but faced losses in boxing, snooker and tennis. Amir Atlas outsmarted compatriot Farhan Mehboob 11-7, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8 to advance to the semi-finals while the volleyball team beat Turkmenistan 3-0. The team will now meet Indonesia in their next group match.
But the contingent suffered a loss in boxing as Amir Khan crashed out with a defeat at the hands of Kyrgyzstan’s Ermek Fakenov 13-4 in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Sajjad and Khurram Agha were sent packing by Hong Kong cueists in the pre-quarterfinals. Sajjad was the first to fall when he lost to Marco Fu 4-0 while Khurram suffered a 4-1 defeat against Kwok Woai.
Pakistan’s lone athlete to represent the country in tennis - Aqeel Khan - lost to the Japanese Soedo Go 6-2, 6-4 in the second round.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2010.
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