DIFFERENT STROKES: Fourth ... in a three-nation contest!
By Islahuddin
THAT there are serious problems with Pakistan Hockey, is known to all, and beyond any degree of doubt. But that the national side would lose to some Junior string was not on the cards. Things were not that bad. Not till last week when Pakistan lost to Australia-A, and duly crashed out to stand fourth in a tournament that featured only three nations!
The team management had cited a number of shortcomings during the camp, and it seems that not enough work was carried out to remove those shortcomings. Had that been done, Pakistan would have certainly done much better, and closer to its potential.
I am writing these lines during the time between the first and the second leg of the double-header. By the time they appear in print, the second phase would be over as well, and you would know the result. But at the time of writing my hope is that the team management would have used the time between the two legs of the tournament to do what it could not do during the camp at home.
It is crucial for the future of the game in the country that Pakistan must put in an improved performance in the second leg of the tournament and take its spot in the upper half of the four teams. That is their only chance of approaching the forthcoming Champions Trophy with any kind of confidence. Otherwise, we shall all be ready for yet another disaster in the prestigious tournament.
I know that the team was not at full strength in Australia, and those missing were key players — Nadeem ND, the captain, Mohammad Waseem, the vice-captain, and Sohail Abbas, the penalty corner specialist who is the highest goal scorer ever in national hockey. But even this can’t be an excuse for the kind of performance that the team delivered Down Under. The management clearly failed to motivate the boys, who must have been short on self-confidence, being part of an under-strength side that they were.
The fact is that such occasions represent an ideal opportunity for those on the sidelines to take a step forward and fill the slot. If they put in a great performance, they stand a chance of getting a permanent berth. If they don’t, they will go back to the sidelines. They have nothing to lose, and that factor comes handy in motivating the hopefuls. I would not like to believe that there were no aspirants for the three slots that were available. If true, that will depict the death of the national game. But that just can’t be true. The fault, as I see it, was with the level of motivation and self-belief. I am sure the team management will take care of it sooner rather than later.
It is heartening that despite the humiliation in the first leg of the tri-nation, there have been no suggestions in the national media that the PHF may not have done the right thing by dropping the three key players. I have been a very vocal supporter of the PHF policy to maintain discipline at all costs, and I have no reason to change my heart.
In fact, I would like to remind the senior PHF management that while action has been taken against Nadeem, who had returned to join the national camp, some action still remains to be taken against Waseem and Sohail. What happened in Australia should not force the PHF to abandon the matter and recall them without any disciplinary measure.
THAT there are serious problems with Pakistan Hockey, is known to all, and beyond any degree of doubt. But that the national side would lose to some Junior string was not on the cards. Things were not that bad. Not till last week when Pakistan lost to Australia-A, and duly crashed out to stand fourth in a tournament that featured only three nations!
