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| August 23, 2005 | Tuesday | Rajab 17, 1426 |
Hockey: Coach Asif delighted with success
AMSTELVEEN, Aug 22: Pakistan coach Asif Bajwa was delighted with 4-3 victory against Olympic champions Australia in the final of eight-nation Rabo Hockey Cup.
“It’s a great day for Pakistan hockey. It’s a victory that should mark the return of Pakistan in top flight hockey. We improved with every outing here after finishing last at Hamburg one week ago,” Pakistani coach told newsmen.
Asif gave full credit to skipper Saqlain who played his 200th international for negating the Aussie onslaughts and had a special word of praise for the consistent excellent goalkeeping of Salman Akbar.
He said “We attacked through the tournament and played with five forwards and I am glad that paid off.”
Australian coach Barry Dancer said his team blew away many scoring chances in the first half, but gave Pakistan full marks for an outstanding show.
Dancer was effusive in his praise of Pakistan and said that they converted their chances and deserved to win the final.
“We will have to see where we made the mistakes so that such a performance in a final is not repeated,” said Dancer.
Australia looked tentative playing their second final after winning the Olympic gold in Athens. In June, they won the Azlan Shah Tournament in Kuala Lumpur defeating South Korea in the final.—PPI
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