KARACHI, April 25: Pakistan hockey junior coach Asif Bajwa said on Sunday a win against South Korea was not the end of achievements but predicted tough resistance from Malaysia at Junior Asia Cup semifinals on Tuesday.
"We were expecting to win against South Korea with a big margin, but we must forget and think about the semifinal against Malaysians who may give us a surprise," he told a post-match press conference.
The coach considered Malaysia's defence as their major advantage, saying he had not seen that kind of display from any side in the tournament. "Malaysians solid defence is one thing which I think is major threat to any team. I have not seen the kind of defence Malaysians have in any side," he said.
Surprisingly, Asif said missing goal-scoring chances was "part of the game" when asked what was the reason Pakistani forwards wasted number of opportunities, especially in the dying moments of the game.
"When a side scores so many goals it also misses chances. Had we won against South Korea with even a bigger margin then what would have been difference between Koreans and Chinese Taipei," Asif came with a strange logic.
Pakistan could have gained a bigger psychological advantage, especially over arch-rivals India, had they won with even a bigger margin. Asif said penalty corner department still needed improvement when pointed towards the failure of Mohammad Imran but added physical fitness was key factor which, he said, allowed his players maintain pressure.
"We do have a strategy to tackle Malaysians but will not like to reveal it now," coach said. South Korea team manager Choi Jung-Guk said lack of facilities was one of the factors that played part in his side's thrashing.
"We hardly had opportunity to practice at Hockey Club of Pakistan. We mostly practised at DHA Stadium where there is no water for the turf which was the main reason for our defeat," he complained through an interpreter.
Organizers have also shifted a classification match from DHA Stadium to HCP. Choi said huge difference in weather took its toll since it was colder in South Korea and blistering heat in Karachi. "In Korea we could not practice because of severe cold. And here hot weather in Karachi affected us badly. It really became difficult to compete against Pakistan today," he said.
India coach Harendra Singh, although felt satisfied against 5- 2 win against Malaysia, he said he expected to score at least six goals. "We were expecting six goals against Malaysia. We missed sitters and the Malaysian goalkeeper played good also. Malaysian defence was too good We will come up with a plan against South Korea in the semifinals."
