ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hockey team’s superb performance, particularly their attacking style, in the World Cup qualifiers has earned the praise of many former hockey players.
 
‘The team’s success is a good sign for the revival of the country’s national game. They will be a tough side for any team to beat if they play with the same passion while not repeating their past mistakes,’ said former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh.

Lauding full-back Sohail Abbas’s contribution in Pakistans success, he said: ‘Sohail did remarkably well. His coming back into form at this time is also a good sign that will help a lot in boosting the team’s performance in the World Cup,’ he said.

While appreciating the on-field aggressive attitude of the players, Shahnaz advised the boys to improve further on their attacking skills if they wanted to win the World Cup.

‘Pakistan will have to play against best sides like Australia, Holland and Germany in the world Cup. Our boys must improve on their attacking style as well as cover the loopholes in their defence,’ he said.

He said that our players, although talented, must also have the hunger and urge to win, which he added would be the key to Pakistan’s success in the World Cup.

Recalling the 1971 World Cup final in which Pakistan was triumphant despite the fact that four of their major players were out of the team due to injuries, he said the players had the urge to win urge at that time, which is why they were victorious.

‘I think the current team should also have a hunger to win. The players need a lot of motivation, both on and off the field,’ he said.

Lauding the team for qualifying for the World Cup, former Olympian and captain Pakistan hockey team Shahbaz Senior said the success was necessary for the survival of hockey in the country. ‘A defeat at this time would have been a big blow and great setback for our national game,’ he said.

He expressed optimism that the win would give a boost to the players morale and they would perform well in the World Cup. ‘They are doing well and I think the same team should play in the World Cup also,’ he added.

He lauded full-back Sohail’s performance and added that like him the forward-line needs to be more thrilling in order to acquire a respectable position in the World Cup.

Olympian Ahmed Alam said the hockey team had been going through a crisis for the last several years and the recent win would help Pakistan regain its lost glory in the game.

‘I think we are still among the best outfits of the world and what we really need at present is to maintain the winning momentum,’ he said.

Ahmed in particular mentioned Sohail Abbas and Haseem Khan. ‘It’s after a long time that the full-back, centre-forward and forward line are all scoring goals. It is a good omen.’—APP