0
KARACHI: Former Olympian Wasim Feroze felicitated the Pakistan team on Friday for reaching the final of the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament after a 2-2 draw with arch-rival India in Ordos, China.
“This new-looking young team proved themselves by qualifying for the final which was a good accomplishment,” he told APP.
“It will be a great achievement if they win the event,” he said.
Former left winger Wasim said that Pakistan are favorites to win the inaugural event because of their better track record against India.
“We have a long history of winning inaugural events like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. This is a good opportunity for us to keep up the tradition in China,” he said.
He supported the decision of the selection committee for keeping faith in youngsters.
“We must now rely on the young guns after their good performance in the Asian Champions Trophy,” he said.
The Hanif Khan-headed selection committee rested goalkeeper Salman Akbar, full back Sohail Abbas and forward Rehan Butt in order to utilise new talent.
“It is time that the few seniors still in the team must also be replaced to make way for youngsters in the larger interest of the team,” Wasim commented.
“In my opinion instead of lingering on, all the seniors should have called it a day after winning the Guangzhou Asian Games,” he noted.
“Had the selection committee taken a bold decision after the Asian Games, Pakistan would have established a good team by now,” he said.
In the meantime, Chief Selector Hanif Khan was delighted that Pakistan's young team lived up to the expectations and produced a godo show to reach the final.
“It is a very morale-boosting win and I am confident that if they reduced their errors they are capable of toppling India in the final,” he said.
He reiterated that Pakistan must keep a watch on the defence and avail penalty corner opportunities.
The star forward of the eighties Hanif Khan said they (the selectors) will select players in the team for coming events in the light of a report from chief coach Michel Van Den Hauvel and Manager Khawaja Junaid.
“Personally, I am satisfied with the showing of the youngsters and triumph in the final will make our future selection easier,” Khan remarked.
