KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team head coach Siegfried Aikman is optimistic that the team’s hard work in the preparatory camp will translate into good performances in the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

The Dutchman, however, cautioned against unrealistic expectations from a side which was undergoing a transition under his supervision.

‘The players have gone through strenuous drills in the one-month camp and can achieve desired results if they play to their full potential in the six-team contest,“ Aikman told Dawn on the eve of team’s departure to Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The 18-member team accompanied by three officials is scheduled to fly to the Malaysian capital before their trip to Ipoh in the wee hours of Saturday.

Aikman, who was appointed as the Pakistan head coach last year, was satisfied with the team’s selection for the Azlan Shah Cup.

“It is the best available team, picked from a pool of talented players’, he said.

The coach said nine new faces will make their international de­but at the event, before which Pakistan will play a friendly match against Japan on Saturday evening.

Besides Pakistan, the tournament features South Korea, Japan, Egypt, South Africa and hosts Malaysia. It will take place from Nov 1-10.

Squad: Umer Bhutta (c), Abdullah Ishtiaq, Akmal Hussain (goalkeepers), M. Abdullah, Sufyan, Arbaz Ahmed, Aqeel, Ihtesham, Murtaza Yaqoob, Rana Abdul Waheed, Rooman Khan, Hanan Shahid, Junaid Manzoor, Arshad Liaquat, Afraz, Shahzeb Khan, Osama Bashirand, M. Imran

Officials: Saeed Khan (manager), Siegfried Aikman (head coach) and Ayaz Mahmood (assistant coach).

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2022