KARACHI, June 20 Legendary Pakistan hockey player Samiullah believes that Pakistan would have performed much better in the Junior World Cup if the coach and the manager had assessed other teams' strengths and weaknesses properly.

“Pakistan didn't assess other teams properly in the Junior World Cup. It is the job of the coach and the manager to form a strategy according to the opponent's assessment. They must not take Argentina and Germany alike.”

“However, fifth position is not all that bad, and a 4-1 triumph over Argentina is a good one,” Samiullah added. Pakistan finished fifth in Junior World Cup after beating defending champion Argentina 4-1 in the fifth place play-off on Friday.

“The management should not say that they have performed well by winning 10 out of 15 matches they played. They must see how they played against teams of their own category. They should assess how they played against Germany, Netherlands or Australia,” he suggested.

Known as 'Flying Horse' in hockey circles, Samiullah said “More and more talented players should be introduced in hockey so that the competition is increased. Players will make efforts to maintain their place in the team.

“Pakistan need to concentrate on their deep defense and forward line. They must form co-ordination among them. They must also work on their goal keeping which is also not up to the mark.”

He said that now Pakistan must start their preparation for Asian Championship, Asian Games and World Cup qualifiers. “The academies which Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) established at different centres of the country, were formed in haste and would not serve the purpose.

“Formation of academies takes time. Proper selection is very important — otherwise it is waste of time and money and unfortunately the same thing is happening at the academies right now,” he added.—PPI