|
|
|
| May 17, 2005 | Tuesday | Rabi-us-Sani 8, 1426 |
Imran Warsi guides Seniors to victory over Rest XI
KARACHI, May 16: Promising penalty corner executioner Imran Warsi guided Pakistan seniors to a 3-0 victory over Rest XI in the second game of the three-match hockey series on Monday. Imran showed there is life after Sohail Abbas as he first slammed home in the third minute of the game and then got his double in the second half at Hockey Club of Pakistan.
While the full-back needs more international exposure and improvement, at the same time he gave hope that future belongs to youngsters who can take over Sohail’s place after proper nurturing and guidance.
Experts are pinning hopes on Imran Warsi as Sohail’s replacement who has opted to skip the national training camp for May 26 to June 5 Azlan Shah Cup despite being called by Pakistan Hockey Federation twice, preferring to play in league in Europe.
Sohail had announced retirement from international hockey last December, saying he wanted to make room for youngsters.
Although Pakistan seniors had experienced frontrunners, they lacked will, stamina and finish, while there were yawning gaps in their own half whenever Rest XI attacked because of slack defence.
Pakistan seniors visibly seemed to be stale and lacking physical fitness as they hardly showed vigour during the game, especially in the second session.
On the other hand, Rest XI were not prevented by Pakistan seniors defence from scoring, but chiefly owing to lack of experience and adequate training.
Nevertheless, if one compares defence of the two sides, it was Rest XI who were comparatively better as they always staved off deep incursions by the Pakistani attackers.
Not only the defenders, but Rest XI diminutive goalkeeper Nasir Ahmad deserved praise for producing at least three stunning saves or the final scoreline could have been 4-0 or even 5-0.
Imran Warsi gave Pakistan seniors a whirlwind start, converting the first penalty corner in the third minute.
Before Rest XI could recover nimble-footed Rehan Butt slotted home the second in the 21st minute.
Tariq Aziz, a junior team member specially included in the senior squad along with 11 team-mates, gave e perfect pass only to see Shabbir Hussain trying half-heartedly and Nasir kicking the ball to safety in the dying minutes of the first half.
Shakeel Abbasi of Pakistan seniors attempted through a powerful hit from the top of the circle, Nasir producing a brilliant save two minutes into the second period.
Pakistan seniors finally scored their third in the 45th minute when Imran Warsi was on target through a low along-the-carpet push past Nasir and Rest XI defenders.
Rest XI, who gave a big fright to Pakistan seniors in the opening game by managing a 3-3 draw, were unlucky as Mohammad Imran rattled the bar on the penalty corner strike in the 48th minute — the first of the two short corners they got.
Instead of trying through Imran Warsi, Pakistan seniors’ bench officials opted to go for an indirect drill and got a negative result when Mohammad Khalid was effectively checked by the dashers in the 58th minute.
Pakistan seniors missed twice when the attackers failed in capitalising a Kashif Yaqoob pass and then Shakeel squandered from close.
Nasir was once again vigilant as they made an impressive, diving save off an Akhtar Ali hit from the top of the circle a minute before time.
PHF has prepared the strongest possible side for seven-nation Kuala Lumpur, while Rest XI have below average and mediocre standbys.
It is incomprehensible what PHF aims to achieve through the series as Pakistan team, the cream of hockey, has been pitted against a bunch of inexperienced players.
The final match will be played on Tuesday at 7.00pm.
|
|
|
|
