ISLAMABAD: Asian Games gold medallists Pakistan bounced back after the Japan defeat, sidelining South Korea 3-2, in the first Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China on Wednesday.
Pakistan are now on top of the points table with nine points followed by India with eight. Japan are third on seven points with South Korea stationed fourth having six in their kitty.
There will be a rest day in the continental event on Thursday.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation insisted that a loss against Japan would not derail their efforts for preparing a strong squad for London Olympics 2012.
“We do lose a match against Japan which does matter but Japan is the next threat in the Asian hockey arena, besides our focus is to establish a strong corps for the main event –– London Olympics,” the secretary of the PHF Asif Bajwa told Dawn.
Japan defeated Pakistan 3-1 creating an upset of the tournament.
However, the secretary said it was not weak defence which led to defeat against Japan, instead, they [Japan] are an emerging squad in Asia.
Bajwa asserted that once rated as weak, squads like Japan in Asia and Belgium in Europe, were not weak sides anymore.
“You have to admit no side is weak in today’s fast and unpredictable game … you don’t know who is going to win any match,” he said.
He said that during the journey for establishing a strong outfit “we may face criticism and some times positive feedback but its part of the highs and lows of the field hockey sport.”
“Our players make a comeback at the championship against South Korea despite being so young. The team is a blend of young and experienced players and this tournament is a build up drill for the final show to be held at London Olympics,” maintained Bajwa, also a former Olympian.
The former Olympian said that they have taken some crucial decisions which were also criticized.
“I know some of our decisions were criticized but you will be seeing positive out come of our decisions which will defiantly bear positive results,” hoped the federation’s secretary, who was still on the bashing list of few former hockey Olympians.
