AS happens with most of the columns that are written during the course of a tournament, you would know the contesting finalists of the Asia Cup by the time these lines appear in print. All I know at the time of writing is that Pakistan has qualified for the semi-final and by virtue of having finished as the group leader in the league stage it would be facing Japan, which have in a sort of upset elbowed out the Malaysians in the initial stage. If paper strength is anything to go by, a seat in the Asia Cup final is there for the taking, which means Pakistan is almost set for a shot at the gold, which, needless to say, is something great for the entire nation. If it takes the gold, of which the team has real potential, that will end the drought that has plagued Pakistan hockey for the last several years.
But that is all yet to happen. For the time being let us have a look at the team’s performance in the league stage where it defeated Bangladesh 8-0, China 7-1 and India 4-2. All these have been creditable victories in terms of the scoreline, and once again underline the new-found ability of the Pakistani forward line to make most of the scoring opportunities that come its way. It was first seen in the Champions Trophy where Pakistan had landed the bronze medal, and has now been confirmed at the Asia Cup.
While there was absolutely no doubt about the outcome of matches against Bangladesh and China and only the final scoreline had to be determined, it was the match against India which had a question mark against it, and it was heartening to see the team coming out on top at the final hooter. Those of you who may have watched the match on television would have surely noticed that the match was not played at the pace that marked Pakistan-India encounters at the Champions Trophy. The pace was slow, and there were only a few counterattacks that threatened the rival custodian.
The weather has to be blamed for such a sluggish encounter. The weather in Malaysia at this time of the year is generally hot, and humidity saps the energy of the boys real fast. The weather in Holland where the Champions Trophy was played, was just ideal for hockey. It was late summer and the winter had yet to set in, making it pleasant for even the most strenuous and gruelling encounter. In short, weather was not a factor at the Champions Trophy, and the teams were able to play to their full potential, which meant attacks and counterattacks at a ferocious pace where even a three-goal lead was not a guarantee against sudden reversal of fortunes.
However, be it Holland or Kuala Lumpur, the playing conditions remain the same for the two competing sides, and the humidity factor takes nothing away from the Pakistani victory against India at the Asia Cup. The 4-2 margin is a comfortable scoreline against any side and the team will surely have taken a lot of heart from its effort and, indeed, the final result, which will help it face the opponents in the final with a great deal of confidence.
As for the question of who it may face in the final (you, of course know it by now), I guess it will be South Korea which, at the time of writing, is set to meet India in the other semi-final. Though India has the potential to turn the table on South Korea, my assumption is based on the absence of Jugraj Singh from the Indian camp for the Asia Cup. He is vital link in Indian game-plan and the team is clearly missing him. Whoever between South Korea and India may qualify for the final, our hearts will surely beat for a Pakistani victory. I join the whole nation in wishing the team all the best.
AS happens with most of the columns that are written during the course of a tournament, you would know the contesting finalists of the Asia Cup by the time these lines appear in print. All I know at the time of writing is that Pakistan has qualified for the semi-final and by virtue of having finished as the group leader in the league stage it would be facing Japan, which have in a sort of upset elbowed out the Malaysians in the initial stage. If paper strength is anything to go by, a seat in the Asia Cup final is there for the taking, which means Pakistan is almost set for a shot at the gold, which, needless to say, is something great for the entire nation. If it takes the gold, of which the team has real potential, that will end the drought that has plagued Pakistan hockey for the last several years.
