April 3, 2003	Thursday	Muharram 30, 1424

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KARACHI, April 2: World best penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas on Tuesday vowed he would be top goal scorer in world hockey after breaking Holland’s great Paul Litjens world record of 249 goals.

Sohail Abbas, who has so far scored 192 goals from 149 matches, was declared best player of the tournament with 5 goals.

“It will be great honour for me and Pakistan to become top scorer in world hockey. Paul was a great player and it will honour for a Pakistani to become world’s top scorer,” Sohail said.

He said if fitness did not create problem, he was confident to break Paul’s record in furturer competitions.

On team’s performance in Sultan Azlan Shah five-nation tournament, he said the team played well, specially forward line dominated.

He said some pressure was reduced on him after forwards scored many goals specially when needed during the tournament.

Kashif Jawad, Shabbir, captain Nadeem N.D, Rehan Butt, Waseem and others were outstanding.

“We were able to beat world champions Germany in the final, which was tough match. Superb hockey was played by both teams. We should have won 3-0 but poor finishing deprived us of high margin of winning.”

He warned players not to relax after winning Sultan Azlan Shah tournament in view of coming tough competitions, including Champions Trophy, matches against European and Australian teams and Olympic Games 2004.

“The need is more hard work for future assignments. Athens Olympics 2004 should be prime target”.—PPI