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KARACHI: Pakistan's Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel hopes his side sees more international action in the lead up to the all-important 2012 London Olympics.
The three-time Olympic gold-medalists reached their lowest ebb in the past two years, and a lack of competition against top sides has been one of the major reasons for this decline.
“Pakistan needs more international exposure for a better show in Olympics. The team should, ideally, play at least 20-25 international matches ahead of the Games in London,” Heuvel told reporters at the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport on Monday upon his arrival from Amsterdam.
He expressed optimism about his team’s chances in England and was confident that the ‘Greenshirts’ would put on a better show than the eight-nation Champions Trophy in New Zealand where they finished 7th.
Heuvel dispelled the impression that there was little time to prepare Pakistan team for the Olympics.
“We got enough time to prepare,” he said.
There are still six months to go for the Olympics which is scheduled to be held from July 27 to August 12.
While in Karachi, the coach will be observing players in the ongoing national championship and said, “There is no debate about seniors and juniors. We select only fit players for the Olympics.”
He will also be conducting a coaching clinic from February 6-11, for which the Pakistan Hockey Federation has selected coaches from across the country.
