Senior players to lead Greenshirts to podium finish, says Muhammad Imran
Pakistan Hockey Team, the winner of the 16th Asian Games and former World Champions, will inaugurate the 20th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup starting from Thursday May 05, in Ipoh, Malaysia.
Pakistan is one of the most favourite teams in the seven-nation tournament, as the combination of new youngsters and senior players will display impressive show in the event.
It is relevant to mention here that the Greenshirts captured three editions of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournaments respectively in 1998, 2000 and 2003. They also earned runner's-up positions for five times respectively in 1983, 1987, 1991, 1994 and
2004.
Some twelve players out of total eighteen named for the Malaysia-based tournament are those who contested the Asian Games held in 2010 in Chinese city of Guangzhou.
A major change in the squad took place at the post of captainship, as Muhammad Imran has been replaced with Zeeshan Ashraf, who decided on to miss the tournament in order to facilitate the youngsters.
Sohail Abbas, world’s highest goal scorer and best drag flicker, will be the focus of attention in Pakistan team. Sohail, the 33-year-old short-corner specialist, has scored 313 goals in only 259 games. After missing the Commonwealth Games, he was recalled
in the Asiad and played a vital role by clinching the gold medal in the tournament.
The squad of the Greenshirts being trained under the supervision of Michel van den Heuvel is comprised of senior players and as well the new faces. Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt are two best strikers in the team who both have great experience on Malaysian
turfs. The two fabled hockey pros were featured in Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) representing Sapura and Yayasan Negeri Sembilan (YNS).
However, the defence line of the Pakistan team will not be much strong in absence of Zeeshan Ashraf. Though Syed Kashif Shah was replaced with the former skipper, but he cannot fill his vacuum.
Muhammad Imran, the newly appointed captain of the team, believes that the combination of old and new faces would deliver positive results in the mega event.
Commenting on the players, the skipper stated that they could use the capabilities of Sohail Abbas to score goals. He stated, “Sohail is the best drag flicker in the world and we can bank on him to deliver the goals. We also have experience forwards like
Rehan and Shakeel to beat the best defences to score goals.”
He was of the opinion that the endowed youngsters were determined to demonstrate their best performances. The seven-nation Azlan Shah Tournament would be a practicing event for the Greenshirts prior to the 2012 London Olympic Games. “We also have a few talented
young players, who are eager to give their best. The Azlan Shah Cup is part of our preparation for the Olympics next year,” he added.
Pakistan has secured an automatic berth in the 2010 London Olympics, as they edged past Malaysia in the finals of the Asian Games, the continental tournament that decides the fate of one direct ticket.
The Greenshirts will open their campaign against New Zealand on Thursday on May 05. Following that they will face South Korea on May 06, Great Britain on May 08, Australia on May 09, India on May 11, and Malaysia on May 14.
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