LAHORE, April 19: Pakistan hockey coach has opined the base of the national team players is insufficient for competitive hockey. Roelant Oltmans gave this opinion in a report submitted to the Pakistan Hockey Federation
(PHF) after watching the team at Azlan Shah Cup organized in January in Malaysia.
"The physical test revealed that base of the players is insufficient for high performance competitive hockey", the coach said. Oltmans also pointed out 11 other weaknesses of the team, but vowed the shortcomings would be eliminated before Athens Olympics in August.
He observed the endurance power, acceleration power and sustainability need improvement, while players lack confidence as a team or an individual. The players, he stated, enforced wrong decisions in the wrong movements of the game and added the forwards, the first defence of a team, also had little contribution.
"The team was weak in recognition of space for changing roles of the players". Similarly, he said defensive strategies needed to be paid more concentration.
"Involvement of players to implement new strategies, attacking strategies/modalities should be improved. Reaction of the players on ball side/help-side and free hits in the 25 yards in offensive/defence roles should be improved. Variation in the penalty corner execution, penalty corner defence is needed for the optimum results".
"Challenging the current world champions and competing against other outstanding teams is a cumbersome task requiring a combination of talent, training, physical fitness and a winning habit," the coach said. He stated the team showed evidence of improvement and displayed thrilling hockey.
Azlan Shah Cup was the first assignment of Oltmans after being appointed coach last December. Pakistan claimed second position after losing to Australia 4-3 in the final.
