ISLAMABAD: Olympian Samiullah Khan expects Pakistan to make the Asian Games final, saying it is coach Shahnaz Sheikh’s efforts which has bought the green-shirts close to glory in Incheon.

“Pakistan have delivered a tremendous performance so far in the tournament and I hope they will go all out for victory in the semi-final against Mala­ysia on Tuesday,” Samiullah said on Monday.

Samiullah, nicknamed ‘Flying Horse’ for his exceptional speed in his glorious playing days, noted it was the long training camps that had paid Pakistan well in the Asian Games.

“Shahnaz did massive work on the players at the camps set up [in lead-up to the Asiad] to prepare them for the continental event and this whole exercise has shown its results in Incheon,” he said.

Samiullah, who played as a lightning-fast left winger during the 1970s and 1980s, reckoned the green-shirts seemed well practised and well-shaped to overcome Malaysia on Tuesday.

“Our players have improved in all formats. Their performance shows that they have trained hard and refined their game,” he said, while lauding the coach for making this all happen.

Samiullah insisted the green-shirts should not lose their temperament now and must carry on with their winning streak.

“They have the ability to defend the title and with each win their confidence level has also improved,” he said.

Samiullah advised the Pakistan players to go with a big heart and play attacking game in the semi-final, adding: “Our defence and goalkeeper should also remain alert against Malaysian forward line.”

Published in Dawn, September 30th , 2014