WITH the Champions Trophy now just days away, it is pointless to talk about whether the PHF should have called back the team or not. I made my thoughts plain on the subject in my last column and received a positive feedback from quite a few readers. But that is all in the past now. Much has already been said in the media on the issue and there is little to add to it, if at all. Now is the time to once again rally behind the national team, and encourage the boys to do well at the celebrated event.
But doing that will not be easy. It is unfortunate that we have still not been able to watch the recording of that match against New Zealand that Pakistan lost so disgracefully at the Commonwealth Games, and, as such, we are not in a position to say what exactly went wrong on that day. Only the boys themselves and the team management know what they have to do differently. We will continue to live in a vacuum, and can only have the results. This is one aspect that is ruining Pakistan Hockey, and I have repeatedly stressed the need for live telecast on a regular basis of matches involving Pakistan. But all that has continued to fall on deaf ears.
There are not going to be any easy matches during the Champions Trophy, which will make life difficult for the Pakistanis. They will first have back-to-back matches against Germany and South Korea, and then against Holland and India, with the last match coming up after a day’s rest against Australia. This means five tough matches in a week!
Off all the participating teams, Germans will be well within their rights to fancy their chances, as they have the most balanced side in the lineup. They have an almost impregnable defence, a highly opportunist attack, and a world class ability to convert penalty corners. Of course, Pakistan has the best penalty converter in Sohail Abbas, but if the scoreline against the team, there is little fun in having him around.
Holland is not that strong in penalty corner conversion, and, in any case, it is side that is going through a restructuring phase after the Sydney Olympics. They will put up a characteristically tough fight against all their opponents, but it will be a surprise if they clinch the trophy on the final day.
The Australians, even with the recent Commonwealth Games crown under their belt, will start off as second favourites behind Germany. They have a good defence and play almost flawless hockey in the midfield and create one chance after the other for their forwards. What they lack, however, is the finishing touch. Their missing ratio is inexplicably high, and that often puts pressure on the side.
The other two teams — South Korea and India — alongside Pakistan will be trying to make an impression on the international stage against the three leading sides of the world.
WITH the Champions Trophy now just days away, it is pointless to talk about whether the PHF should have called back the team or not. I made my thoughts plain on the subject in my last column and received a positive feedback from quite a few readers. But that is all in the past now. Much has already been said in the media on the issue and there is little to add to it, if at all. Now is the time to once again rally behind the national team, and encourage the boys to do well at the celebrated event.
