April 2, 2003	Wednesday	Muharram 29, 1424

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KARACHI, April 1: Former hockey stalwarts on Tuesday said Azlan Shah title was a morale-booster, but warned the team and officials against complacency, saying victory was not an outstanding achievement.

Ex-captain Samiullah and Hanif Khan were of the view real test would be in Amstelveen Champions Trophy in August for which the triumph in Ipoh, Malaysia, would be a tonic.

“No doubt we have won the title, but one can’t say it is the end. It was not a major event. Real test will be the Champions Trophy,” Sami said.

Pakistan clinched the title for the third time after beating world champions Germany 1-0. The green shirts won the event first in 1999 and then in 2000, but slumped to fourth in 2001.

Former striker nicknamed “Flying Horse” urged the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to explore replacements for goalkeeper Ahmad Alam and centre-half Mohammad Saqlain.

“Ahmad and Saqlain should be removed. It’s time the team should have fresh blood the sooner the better at these two positions. The remaining squad should not be disturbed and be retained until 2004 Olympic Games,” he said.

Sami said forwards lacked finishing, while too much travelling with the ball was another grey area of the team during the tournament. “However, after watching the first game against New Zealand, I must say our side played much better in the final.”

Hanif, a former left-in, cautioned the team and asked its management to identify the deficiencies and to prepare for the toughest challenge of the year — the Champions Trophy.

“The win in Malaysia is a good sign. But it does not mean we have achieved the biggest goal. The event had no significance in terms of competition. We must be ready for the future assignments which are more tougher,” he said.

Hanif said the tournament was not a major hockey event as the almost all the participants had fielded several new and young players in their ranks.

“The Germans had some nine new players, Malaysia five and South Koreans six to seven youngsters, while Pakistan were the most experienced side in the tournament. We must appreciate the victory, but should not forget our major objective in the celebrations,” he remarked.

Although Hanif was against having major changes in the squad until 2004 Athens Olympics, suggested to bolster the side by having an experienced right-out, right-half and a full-back.

He recommended to axe defender Tariq Imran, midfielder Imran Rasool, forwards Shakeel Abbasi and Mohammad Aqeel as they were hardly utilised by the bench officials during the tournament.

“To strengthen the right side, Haider (Hussain) and Sameer (Husain) should be invited, and Ghazanfar Ali and Irfan Yousuf for the half-line, while Zeeshan (Ashraf) is a perfect full- back,” the former striker said.

He was critical of the inconsistency of the Pakistan team and praised the Germans for remaining unbeaten until the final.

“In the opening game we scored 6-1 victory against the Kiwis and then were given a fright by the Koreans before 1-0 win. That must be investigated. Except Shabbir (Hussain), the remaining forwards were below-par.”

Hanif, a former Pakistan coach under whom the team finished fourth in the 2001, did not feel Sohail Abbas was technically a sound penalty corner striker and it was only the velocity of his push which was his real weapon.

“Sohail must improve technically if wants better results as he emphasises only on force not the technique during his push,” he said.

Sohail, famous for blistering penalty corner strikes, who was named player of the tournament being the top-scorer with five goals, could not find the target in the final.

Former Pakistan midfielfer Rasheed-ul-Hassan said the win was a good omen but the team should prepare for the Champions Trophy. “It should be the beginning not the end. We must prepare for the Trophy.”