Green-shirts manage draw against Germany in the Champions Trophy warm-up game
Pakistan men’s hockey team managed a draw against Germany in the only warm-up fixture ahead of the FIH Champions Trophy, which will commence on December 3, in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Green-shirts displayed an impressive performance during the two halves, allowing the former Olympic champions only a solo goal.
Pakistan entered the tournament with a confident attitude as it edged past the World Champions, Australia, in Perth, winning the title of the Tri-Nation Tournament.
Although the practice match was drawn, the two teams contested the game openly. Pakistan drew the first blood with a field goal from Waqas Sharif but failed to uphold the lead in the later part of the game.
The German players ultimately tied the knots in the second half of play, ending the practice-game in a one-all draw.
Khawaja Junaid, the Manager of the Green-shirts, believes that the warm-up game will assist the team in adjusting to the weather conditions.
He described the first game saying, “It was a good contest and we made the Germans work hard. I’m quite satisfied with the start we have and it’ll help us get used to the conditions and the weather. We won’t be playing any more warm-up matches but will instead
focus on training”.
The Green-shirts have an outstanding record in the Champions Trophy, winning three gold medals and six silvers.
Apart from that, Pakistan has clinched four world cup titles, three Olympic gold medals, three crowns in the Asia Cups while eight gold medals in the Asian Games.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary, Asif Bajwa, is also anticipating positive results from the tournament.
While speaking to the media, he informed that the Green-shirts have the capability to topple the world’s best teams.
He explained, “Our players are in good form and though it was a practice match the result shows that our team could give tough time to top international teams”.
Pakistan is clubbed alongside Great Britain, Spain and Australia in the Pool A while Pool B is featuring teams from New Zealand, South Korea, Germany and the Netherlands.
The Green-shirts will meet Great Britain in the first encounter of the Champions Trophy on December 3.
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