Two match Test series between Greenshirts against Netherlands ends in a draw
Despite having unimpressive track record in the recently-concluded Amsterdam Four-Nation hockey tournament, the Greenshirts did not display a pressurised game and managed a draw in the first Test of the two-match series against Netherlands on July 15, 2011.
It is vital to mention here that the Pakistan’s hockey team was beaten by Dutch squad at 4-0 in the recently-played match in the tournament.
Pakistan and Netherlands opened the game quite impressively and showed brilliant passing in the opening period. However, it was the visiting team of Pakistan that scored the first goal of the game. In a very short time, the Netherlands levelled the game
and then took the lead by a single goal, 2-1. At last, Sohail Abbas converted a short-corner and had it all even at two-all. The match concluded at 2-2.
Khawaja Junaid, the manager of the Pakistan’s hockey team while speaking to the media, expressed satisfaction over the improved performance from the Greenshirts. In his view, the recent match was a much better show as compared to the previous lacklustre
results. He stated, “It was overall a better performance by the team. The players went into the ground with a fresh approach keeping their Four-Nations loss aside. We made fewer mistakes, which is a good sign.”
He further stated that the squad landed on the field in the first game with fresh mindset and committed fewer fouls.
The Manager was of the opinion that the Greenshirts would have to overcome the weak areas to take the series into their favour. He expressed hopes saying that if they succeeded to prevail over the weak areas, they would be in a position to lift the two-match
series.
On the other side former Olympian and veteran player of his era, Samiullah flayed criticism over the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) saying that it wasted a great chance in the form of European Tour. In his views, the results of the tournament were unsatisfactory,
as the selection of senior players was not a wise decision.
He praised the step of federation for organising a European tour, but he was not happy with the senior names. He added, “It was a training tour and the federation committed a mistake by retaining the seniors for the tour. We have important assignments ahead
including the Champions Trophy and Olympics and we should’ve given younger players a chance.”
In his views, the senior names including Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt, Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahmed, did not need international exposures, but the federation should asses the worth of fresh talent. He added that the federation wanted a winning experience
from the series rather giving new youngsters international exposures.
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