February 23, 2006	Thursday

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LAHORE, Feb 22: Pakistan hockey coach Asif Bajwa on Wednesday expressed his disappointment over missed sitters in the fourth match of the series against India. “I was not expecting that much missing from key players like Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi and Shabbir Hussain. I am really disappointed,” Asif said.

He said missing of goal scoring chances might be the results of complacency since, he said, Pakistan had already won three matches and the series.

“The boys might have been taking the game easy after winning the first three games which is wrong,” he said.

He said his side converted a short-corner in the match with the new hockey stick having 25mm curve. He said he would try new players in the remaining two matches to give them exposure.

Asif did not agree the series had no importance as India fielded an inexperienced team.

“It is not a series but a full event and the matches between the two countries have always been close and we can see results of this series,” he said.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Saqlain said missing of goal scoring chances was what he said “chronic problem” and that more work should be done to overcome it.

Indian coach Rajinder Singh said though his team had lost the series, they would try to win the remaining two matches.

He said both the teams missed chances and added so far series could not produce real competitive hockey as was the tradition.

The coach said young players fought well and honing up their skills and added that India’s aim was World Cup for which he was preparing a strong team.