LAHORE: Pakistan suffered yet another 6-1 defeat against India to further go down to play seventh and eighth position match against China at the World Hockey League (WHL) Semi-final round in London on Saturday.

It is the second consecutive victory of archrivals India against Pakistan in six days as they also thrashed Pakistan in the pool match 7-1.

Although there is still a chance for Pakistan to qualify for next year’s World Cup after beating China to finish at the seventh place, the question arises how Pakistan will cope with tough teams in the World Cup.

Samiullah urges PM to dissolve PHF set-up

The play-off for fifth-sixth position saw India’s Ramandeep Singh score two goals while Talwinder Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh chipped in with one goal each. Pakistan lone goal was scored by Ejaz Ahmed.

Pakistan has so far conceded 24 goals while scoring just five with the greenshirts only beating Scotland 3-1 while losing five matches.

Pakistan may still qualify for the World Cup through performance in the Asia Cup (to be held in September this year) if China, too, succeed in defeating Pakistan in ongoing WHL.

Qualification for the mega event should not be a big problem for Pakistan, considering increased number of teams in the World Cup (from 12 to 16). The worrying fact, however, is if Pakistan would be able to play competitive hockey in the mega event.

Meanwhile, former Olympian Samiullah has urged the prime minister to do away with the entire PHF set-up to bring in better and competent people purely on merit.

He said the national selection committee, the team management including head coach Khawaja Junaid and manager Hanif Khan should morally resign from their posts after this pathetic performance.

He said the new appointment should be made on merit, adding the country could not afford more deterioration in the national game.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017