October 28, 2001	Sunday	Shaba'an 10, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

LAHORE, Oct 27: Pakistan hockey coach, Hanif Khan, Friday said recalled striker, Shahbaz Ahmad, will be a “key” player and a guide to the forwards during next month’s Champions Trophy.

Speaking at a reception for Pakistan team here, Hanif said forwards had been trained to reduce the pressure on the defence which remained a weak line but now had been strengthened.

He said strikers had been taught to interchange their positions that would create gaps in the opposition’s defence.

The coach termed the present national side as the best trained outfit during his tenures as coach and hoped the team would reach the victory stand at the Trophy.

The six-nation tournament, to be participated by host The Netherlands, Germany, Australia, South Korea and England, starts Nov 3.

Shahbaz Ahmad considered himself physically fit and said he was fully aware of the responsibilities he had to fulfil during the tournament.

The former Pakistan captain, who will be now playing under the captaincy of Mohammad Sarwar, said he would play the matches for long periods but would benefit from the rolling substitution whenever he felt the need.

The striker, who will be representing the country after a lapse of three years, said he might take a five-minute rest to re-store his energy during the matches.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary, Brig Musaratullah said the federation had been assured of the security by Rotterdam’s mayor.

The PHF had expressed security concerns after the attacks against Muslim in the Netherlands and Belgium.

The PHF official said the new goalkeepers would deliver the goods during the tournament.

“Ahmad Alam retired on his own and did not show his willingness to withdraw his retirement to me or any other PHF official during his meetings with us. I must dispel the impression that we can force him to rejoin the team,” the PHF official said.

The PHF secretary dispelled the apprehensions about Shahbaz.

“Shahbaz has shown change in his attitude. It is our duty to provide him congenial atmosphere so that he can serve Pakistan hockey to the best of his abilities,” he contended.