Pakistan hockey squad doing well at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup despite of a young team: Hockey News
Pakistan’s team manager, KM Junaid, said today that the team is returning back to its form and eyeing to clinch the 2011 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup just as they sealed the Asian Championship win last year. The tournament is being held in Ipoh, Malaysia.
The team seems to be strong despite of the presence of relatively younger players on their side this time.
Pakistan is equal with Great Britain at nine points with both teams left to play one more game to decide who will qualify into the final match against the World Number One, Australia.
Kookaburras have already made into the finals after beating down Great Britain by 2-1, securing the top place in the list with 13 points.
Great Britain will get a chance to appear in the match against South Korea, prior to Pakistan’s match against Malaysia on Saturday.
Junaid said, "I have told my players that we must play to win no matter what the result of the other match. We are under no illusion of the task that awaits us. Malaysia has always been a tough team to play, and they will certainly want to win as well."
Eight of the players in the Pakistan squad are Under-21 in age. In spite of this, Pakistan bared to beat down its old opponents South Korea, New Zealand and the arch-rival India. However, they have faced a loss from the Kookaburras and Great Britain.
Considering the last record-setting achievement by Pakistan on winning the 2010 Asian Games, the team will get another boost by naming themselves another title. Moreover, it will help train a competent team for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Junaid highlighted the fact that these young players are the future of Pakistan’s hockey and it was a relief to see them in good form. He added the fact that the team needs to keep being exposed to even tougher matches hereafter.
On the other hand, Great Britain are also not taking their next match easy. The British coach, Jason Lee, said, "I have said that we are here to win the title. We will go all out to do that against Korea but at the same time we have to be on our toes from
the start. Frankly it is in our hands to make the final and we have to get the job done."
Sneaking from below the list is New Zealand, who still can make it into the finals if both Great Britain and Pakistan lose their matches. The Kiwis will be playing against Australia on Saturday at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
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