April 4, 2003	Friday	Safar 1, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, April 3: Pakistan coach Shahnaz Shaikh said Thursday that two four-nation tournaments in Australia coming up ahead would help them prepare for this August’s elite Champions Trophy.

“These tournaments would give us a good opportunity to test our plans and strategies for the all important Champions Trophy,” he said on return from Kuala Lumpur where Pakistan under his command won the Azlan Shah Tournament last week by beating Germany 1-0 in the final.

One of the tournaments Down Under is in Perth slated for May 29 to June 1 followed by the second competition between June 4 to 8 in Sydney.

Pakistan have not won the Champions Trophy since 1994, the glorious year in which they also captured the World Cup in Sydney. With a barren run of nearly a decade, winning the prestigious event in Holland therefore is all the more important for Shahnaz as it is for the hockey federation that had been groping in the dark for years in a bid to revive the sport.

“Obviously one of our major goals is to bring home the Champions Trophy because I do not believe in being on the victory stand, I want the team to win titles,” said Shahnaz who took over as coach last year.

Speaking of the events in Malaysia, where the Azlan Shah tournament took place, he felt that the series against the hosts prior to the start of the championship was of great help. “I was able to try out all the players and make up my mind what combination would be ideal.”

“The good thing in the tournament was that we were able to score field goals and there was not much pressure on Sohail Abbas.” Sohail, Pakistan’s ace penalty corner striker, scored five goals, and was adjudged Player of the Tournament.

“The return of the team to scoring field goals is a good sign for the revival of hockey although our players missed opportunities in the 25 area, something that will be rectified in the camp starting in the third week of this month.”