Australia, Pakistan Hockey Team’s next destination: Hockey News
Pakistan’s senior men national hockey team will set-off for its Europe tour tomorrow, June 16. They will fly from Islamabad to their first stop Dublin, Ireland where they will play a Four-nation hockey tournament in University College Dublin (UCD), starting
from June 20-25.
The team previously had two international events lined-up prior to the 2012 London Olympics, namely the Europe tour, this month and the Champions Trophy, later this year. The players believe that these two appearances will be the stepping stone for the 2012
London Olympics.
However, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), yesterday, June 14, announced about a two three-nation series that the team will be playing before the Champions Trophy, against India and the hosts, Australia.
Prior to these two tri-nations, Pakistan will also be playing three Test matches against the teams. The most interesting part is that one of the tri-nation will be played as a nine-a-side tournament along with some further untraditional methods like a smaller
field and less time.
This Australian tour is scheduled to begin in October, this year. PHF Secretary, Asif Bajwa, suggested that this innovative competition will act in favour of hockey’s promotion.
He further stated, “The PHF welcomes these initiatives to induct energy into the game. I believe that with the new format, hockey will be modernised and can attract more viewers. We currently have an extensive European tour lined up but the Australian tour
is well-placed to serve as good preparation for the Champions Trophy.”
Bajwa commented that the PHF is taking steps for the team to get well-prepared for the Champions trophy and the Olympics and both these tours are part of this preparation.
In the meantime, the team seems all prepared for their European experience in Ireland. Moreover, they will later head to Holland for the Rabo Four-nation Hockey Tournament in Amstelveen, starting from June 28 – July 2, followed by a Test series. Finally,
the team will return home by July 17.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s Under-18 Junior side has left for Singapore to take part in the Junior Asia Cup, starting from June 17-26, where they will be defending their last year’s title.
In 2010, the Junior Asia Cup was won by Pakistan on defeating Malaysia by 4-3 in Myanmar and the team is expected to be the favourites for this year’s edition too.
The Under-18 squad will play its first match on June 19 against Brunei at the Seng Kang Hockey Stadium, Singapore. This is the third edition of the tournament in which a total of ten teams have taken part this year.
Unfortunately, India will not be participating in this year’s event that has given Pakistan's side a little edge, according to the junior team’s head coach, Rana Mujahid.
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