Greenshirts finish their European tour on a low note as they were defeated by Netherlands by 1-2
The Greenshirts suffered another disappointing defeat against Netherlands by 1-2 in their second of the two Test match series, which was also the last game of the European tour, played in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Saturday, July 16.
Netherland took an early lead in the first few minutes into the first half and successfully maintained the lead until the interval. Coming into play, down by a goal, the Greenshirts scored the equaliser in the opening minute of the second half when the drag
flicker, Sohail Abbas, converted a drag flick into the goal. The match continued in an attacking mode, but it was Netherlands that scored the game-winning goal, moments before the close of the play.
However, Khawaja Junaid, the former Olympian and the manager of the Greenshirts, was not very much disappointed with the performance of his athletes in the tour, rather he commented, “It is not about winning at this point. Our aim was to play pressure games
and find our flaws. We’ve learnt some valuable lessons on the field and the team has been working hard. Our temperament has improved.”
Ha also stated that the players are becoming more rough and even tougher with their approach in the field effort as they try to give it all until the sound of the final whistle. This was not the case earlier with the boys as they had mentally lost the game
after going into deficit.
Meanwhile, Pakistan goal-keeper, Salman Akbar, also looked very convinced with the attitude of the players during the tour and viewed the European visit as a difference-making campaign in their performance and overall improvement in their game.
“Every player has learnt a great deal and worked on his flaws. The level of competition among the players has increased and they are not taking their spot in the team for granted. The concept of seniors and juniors is no longer there. It doesn’t matter how
experienced the seniors are. All the players, including the youngsters, are trying all hard to cement their place in the playing-eleven,” Salman Akbar, the veteran goalkeeper, added his comments after the match.
Greenshirts will return to home on Monday, July 18 and will join the training camp in the second week of the next month, prior to feature in the Asian Hockey Championship in September.
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