HOME     |      FEATURES     |      CLUBHOUSE     |      CAMPS     |      LINKS     |      ABOUT US     |      STORE     |      ADVERTISE
PlanetFieldHockey.com Home  

Highlight articles
from the last
Features Exclusives
Special Report: World Cup Hockey - At a glance There are 32 comments on this articlex32
2002 Hockey World Cup
2002 Hockey World Cup
February 18, 2002 4.5 out of 5
Arun Arnaw
> Page Views 15568

Compiled by
* Arun Arnaw *

An enlarged field of 16 nations will vie for top honours in the 10th Men?s Hockey World Cup. These nations are divided into two pools of eight teams each as follows:-

Pool A: Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain

Pool B: Australia, Cuba, England, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Poland

The World Cup starts on February 24 when debutant Cuba takes on Olympic runners up South Korea in a curtain raiser. The final will be held on March 9. There will be a total of 72 matches including 56 pool matches, 2 semi finals, one final, 6 cross over play offs and 7 classification matches.

Hereunder are some interesting statistical facts of the Hockey World Cup -


*****


First World Cup: Barcelona, Spain 1971


Duration : October 15 - October 24, 1971
Venue : Real Polo grounds
Participating Teams: Pool A : India, West Germany, France, Kenya, Argentina
Pool B : Pakistan, Australia, Netherlands, Japan, Spain
First Match of the World Cup: Pakistan beat Australia 5-2 on October 15, 1971
First Goal of the World Cup: by Tanvir Dar (Pakistan)
Total Matches Played: 30
Biggest Margin of Victory: 5-1 by Germany over Argentina and
4-0 by Germany over France
Total Goals Scored: 67
Most Goals Scored by a Team:14 by Pakistan (in 6 matches)
Final: Pakistan defeated Spain 1-0
Winning Captain: Khalid Mahmood
India?s Position: Third
Indian Captain: Ajitpal Singh
India?s Performance: Pool: beat France 1-0, beat Argentina 1-0, beat Kenya 2-0, beat Germany 1-0; (India topped the Pool and
qualified for the Semi Final)
SF: lost to Pakistan 1-2;
3rd Place: beat Kenya 2-1
Final Standings: 1 Pakistan 2 Spain 3 India 4 Kenya 5 Germany 6 Netherlands 7 France 8 Australia 9 Japan 10 Argentina
Most Goals in a Match: 3 by Tanvir Dar (Pakistan) Vs Netherlands
Hat tricks: Tanvir Dar (Pakistan) Vs Netherlands
Leading Goal Scorer: 8 by Tanvir Dar (Pakistan)

*****

Second World Cup: Amsterdam, Netherlands 1973


Duration : August 24 ? September 2, 1973
Venue : Wapener Stadium
Participating Teams: Pool A : West Germany, India, Spain, New Zealand, Kenya, Japan
Pool B : Pakistan, Netherlands, England, Belgium, Malaysia, Argentina
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 8-1 by New Zealand over Japan and
6-0 by Pakistan over Argentina
Total Goals Scored: 126
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 17 by Spain (in 7 matches)
Final: Netherlands defeated India 6-4 in tie breaker after being locked 2-2 in scheduled and extra time.
Winning Captain: Nico Spitz
India?s Position: Second
Indian Captain: MP Ganesh
India?s Performance: Pool: beat Japan 5-0, drew Germany 0-0, beat Kenya 4-0, drew New Zealand 1-1, beat Spain 2-0 (India finished second behind
Germany in the Pool and qualified for the Semi Final)
SF: beat Pakistan 1-0
Final: lost to Netherlands 4-6 in tie breaker after being locked 2-2 in scheduled and extra time.
Final Standings: 1 Netherlands 2 India 3 Germany 4 Pakistan 5 Spain 6 England 7 New Zealand 8 Belgium 9 Argentina 10 Japan 11 Malaysia 12 Kenya
Most Goals in a Match: 3 by Thies Kruize (Netherlands) Vs Malaysia
Hat tricks: by Thies Kruize (Netherlands) Vs Malaysia
Leading Goal Scorer: 11 by Thies Kruize (Netherlands)

*****


Third World Cup: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1975

Duration : March 1 ? 19, 1975
Venue : Merdeka Stadium
Participating Teams: Pool A : Pakistan, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland
Pool B : India, West Germany, Australia, England, Argentina, Ghana
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 9 - 0 by Australia over Ghana
7 - 0 by India over Ghana
Total Goals Scored: 175
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 24 by Australia (in 7 matches)
Final: India defeated Pakistan 2 - 1
Winning Captain: Ajitpal Singh
India?s Position: First
Indian Captain: Ajitpal Singh
India?s Performance: Pool: beat England 2-1, drew Australia 1-1, beat Ghana 7-0, lost to Argentina 1-2, beat Germany 3-1 (India topped the Pool and
qualified for the Semi Final)
SF: beat Malaysia 3-2
Final: beat Pakistan 2-1
Final Standings: 1 India 2 Pakistan 3 Germany 4 Malaysia 5 Australia 6 England 7 New Zealand 8 Spain 9 Netherlands 10 Poland 11 Argentina 12 Ghana
Most Goals in a Match: 4 by Graham Walter (Australia) Vs Ghana
Hat tricks: by Graham Walter (Australia) Vs Ghana
Leading Goal Scorer: 7 each by Thies Kruize (Netherlands), Manzoor Sr (Pakistan) and S Otulkowaski (Poland)

*****


Fourth World Cup: Buenos Aires, Argentina 1978

Duration : March 18 ? April 1, 1978
Venue : Campo del Polo grounds
Participating Teams: Pool A : Australia, West Germany, India, England, Poland, Canada, Belgium
Pool B : Pakistan, Netherlands, Spain, Argentina, Malaysia, Ireland, Italy
Total Matches Played: 55
Biggest Margin of Victory: 9 - 0 by Pakistan over Ireland
8 - 0 by Netherlands over Italy
7 - 0 by Pakistan over Argentina
7 - 0 by Germany over India
7 - 0 by Pakistan over Italy
Most Goals in a Match: 13 Germany (9) Vs Poland (4)
11 Poland (7) Vs Belgium (4)
Total Goals Scored: 225
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 35 by Pakistan (in 8 matches)
Final: Pakistan defeated Netherlands 3 - 2
Winning Captain: Islahuddin
India?s Position: Sixth
Indian Captain: VJ Phillips
India?s Performance: Pool: beat Belgium 1-0, lost to Canada 1-3, beat Australia 2-0, lost to Germany 0-7, beat Poland 3-1, drew England 1-1 (India
finished third in the Table behind Australia and Germany)
Classification Matches (5th to 8th): beat Argentina 3-2;
For 5th Place: lost to Spain 0-2
Final Standings: 1 Pakistan 2 Netherlands 3 Australia 4 Germany 5 Spain 6 India 7 England 8 Argentina 9 Poland 10 Malaysia 11Canada 12 Ireland 13 Italy 14 Belgium
Most Individual Goals in a Match: 4 by Paul Litjens (Netherlands) Vs Italy

Hat tricks: Munawwar Zaman (Pakistan) Vs Italy
W Stroedter (Germany) Vs Belgium
Steve Long (England) Vs Canada
Leading Goal Scorer: 15 by Paul Litjens (Netherlands),
14 by Wulfgong Stroedter (Germany)
12 by Ian Cook (Australia)

*****


Fifth World Cup: Mumbai, India 1981-82

Duration : December 29, 1981 ? January 12, 1982
Venue : Wankhede Stadium
Participating Teams: Pool A : Pakistan, West Germany, Spain, Argentina, Poland, New Zealand
Pool B : Netherlands, Australia, India, England, USSR, Malaysia
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 12 - 3 by Pakistan over New Zealand
Most Goals in a Match: 15 Pakistan (12) Vs New Zealand (3)
Total Goals Scored: 217
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 38 by Pakistan (in 7 matches)
Final: Pakistan defeated Germany 3 - 1
Winning Captain: Akhtar Rasool
India?s Position: Fifth
Indian Captain: Surjit Singh
India?s Performance: Pool: beat Malaysia 6-2, lost to Netherlands 3-4, beat USSR 7-2, beat England 4-2, lost to Australia 1-2 (India
finished third in the Table behind Australia and Netherlands)
Classification Matches (5th to 8th): beat New Zealand 3-2
For 5th Place: beat USSR 5-1
Final Standings: 1 Pakistan 2 Germany 3 Australia 4 Netherlands 5 India 6 Soviet Union 7 New Zealand 8 Poland 9 England 10 Malaysia 11 Spain 12 Argentina
Most Individual Goals in a Match: 4 by Hasan Sardar (Pakistan) Vs New Zealand
Hat tricks: Hasan Sardar (Pakistan) Vs New Zealand
M Peter (Germany) Vs Pakistan
Rajinder Singh (India) Vs New Zealand
Leading Goal Scorer: 12 by Rajinder Singh (India)
10 by Hasan Sardar (Pakistan)
Player of the Tournament: Hasan Sardar (Pakistan)
Fair Play Trophy: New Zealand

*****


Sixth World Cup: London, England 1986

Duration : October 4 ? 19, 1986
Venue : Willesden
Participating Teams: Pool A : Netherlands, Pakistan, England, USSR, Argentina, New Zealand
Pool B : Australia, West Germany, Spain, India, Canada, Poland
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 6 - 0 by Australia over Spain
6 - 0 by Australia over India
Most Goals in a Match: 9 Netherlands (7) Vs Poland (2)
Total Goals Scored: 146
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 31 by Australia (in 7 matches)
Final: Australia defeated England 2 - 1
Winning Captain: David Bell
India?s Position: Twelth
Indian Captain: Mohammad Shahid
India?s Performance: Pool: lost to Poland 1-0, lost to Spain 1-2, beat Canada 2-0, lost to Australia 0-6, drew Germany 2-2 (India
finished fifth in the Table behind Australia, Germany, Poland and Spain)
Classification Matches (9th to 12th): lost to New Zealand 1-2
For 11th Place: lost to Pakistan 2-3
Final Standings: 1 Australia 2 England 3 Germany 4 Soviet Union 5 Spain 6 Argentina 7 Netherlands 8 Poland 9 New Zealand 10 Canada 11 Pakistan 12 India
Most Individual Goals in a Match: 4 by Karel Podzorski (Poland) Vs Spain
Hat tricks: Qasim Zia (Pakistan) Vs New Zealand
Karel Podzorski (Poland) Vs Spain
Ignacio Eskcude (Spain) Vs Argentina
Leading Goal Scorer: 7 by Ric Charlesworth (Australia)

*****


Seventh World Cup: Lahore, Pakistan, 1990

Duration : February 12-23, 1990
Venue : Gaddafi Stadium
Participating Teams: Pool A : Australia, Netherlands, USSR, India, Argentina, France
Pool B : West Germany, Pakistan, England, Spain, Canada, Ireland
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 4 - 0 by Germany over Ireland
4 - 0 by England over France
Most Goals in a Match: 9 Pakistan (6) Vs Spain (3)
Total Goals Scored: 147
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 21 by Netherlands (in 7 matches)
Final: Netherlands defeated Pakistan 3 - 1
Winning Captain: Marc Delissen
India?s Position: Tenth
Indian Captain: Pargat Singh
India?s Performance: Pool: drew USSR 1-1, lost to Argentina 3-5, lost to France 1-2, lost to Netherlands 3-5, lost to Australia 2-3 (India
finished sixth and last in the Pool )
Classification Matches (9th to 12th): beat Canada 2-1
For 9th Place: lost to Argentina 0-1
Final Standings: 1 Netherlands 2 Pakistan 3 Australia 4 Germany 5 England 6 USSR 7 France 8 Spain 9 Argentina 10 India 11Canada 12 Ireland
Most Individual Goals in a Match: 3 by Shahbaz Ahmed (Pakistan) Vs Spain
3 by Floris Bovelander (Netherlands) Vs USSR
3 by Ignacio Eskude (Spain) Vs England
3 by Carlos Genyro (Argentina) Vs Ireland
Hat tricks: Shahbaz Ahmed (Pakistan) Vs Spain
Floris Bovelander (Netherlands) Vs USSR
Ignacio Eskude (Spain) Vs England
Carlos Genyro (Argentina) Vs Ireland
Leading Goal Scorer: 10 by Ignacio Eskude (Spain)
9 by Floris Bovelander (Netherlands)
Player of the Tournament: Shahbaz Ahmed (Pakistan)
Fair Play Trophy: India

*****


Eighth World Cup: Sydney, Australia, 1994

Duration : November 23 ? December 4, 1994
Venue : State Hockey Centre
Participating Teams: Pool A : Pakistan, Australia, Spain, Argentina, England, Belarus
Pool B : Netherlands, West Germany, Belgium, South Korea, India, South Africa
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 8 - 1 by Netherlands over Belgium
6 - 0 by Germany over Belgium
Most Goals in a Match: 9 Netherlands (8) Vs Belgium (1)
9 S Korea (7) Vs Belgium (2)
Total Goals Scored: 144
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 25 by Netherlands (in 7 matches)
Final: Pakistan defeated Netherlands 5 - 4 in tie breaker after being locked 1-1 in scheduled and extra time.
Winning Captain: Shahbaz Ahmed
India?s Position: Fifth
Indian Captain: Jude Felix
India?s Performance: Pool: beat S Korea 2-0, lost to Netherlands 2-4, drew S Africa 2-2, lost to Germany 1-2, beat Belgium 4-2 (India
finished third in the Table behind Australia and Netherlands)
Classification Matches (5th to 8th): beat Argentina 6-3 in tie breaker after being leveled at 2-2 at scheduled and extra time.
For 5th Place: beat England 1-0
Final Standings: 1 Pakistan 2 Netherlands 3 Australia 4 Germany 5 India 6 England 7 Argentina 8 S Korea 9 Spain 10 S Africa 11 Belgium 12 Belarus
Most Individual Goals in a Match: 5 by Taco Van den Honert (Netherlands) Vs Belgium
4 by Sven Meinhardt (Germany) Vs Belgium
Hat tricks: Taco Van den Honert (Netherlands) Vs Belgium
Javier Arnau (Spain) Vs Belarus
Leading Goal Scorer: 11 by Taco Van den Honert (Netherlands) Vs Belgium
8 by Kamran Ashraf (Pakistan), Sven Meinhardt (Germany) and Fernando Ferreira (Argentina)
Player of the Tournament: Shahbaz Ahmed (Pakistan)
Fair Play Trophy: Belgium

*****


Ninth World Cup: Utrecht, Netherlands, 1998

Duration : May 21 ? June 1, 1998
Venue : Galgenwaard Stadium
Participating Teams: Pool A : Canada, Germany, India, South Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand
Pool B: Australia, England, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, Poland
Total Matches Played: 42
Biggest Margin of Victory: 8 - 0 by Australia over Poland
8 - 0 by Australia over Malaysia
Most Goals in a Match: 12 Pakistan (7) Vs England (5)
Total Goals Scored: 209
Most Goals Scored by a Team: 26 by Neterlands (in 7 matches)
26 by Australia (in 7 matches)
26 by Pakistan (in 7 matches)
Final: Netherlands defeated Spain 3 - 2
Winning Captain: Stefan Veen
India?s Position: Ninth
Indian Captain: Dhanraj Pillay
India?s Performance: Pool: lost to Germany 1-4, lost to Netherlands 0-5, lost to S Korea 3-4, beat New Zealand 1-0, lost to Canada 1-4 (India
finished sixth and last in the Pool)
Classification Matches (9th to 12th): beat Poland 6-2
For 9th Place: beat New Zealand 1-0
Final Standings: 1 Netherlands 2 Spain 3 Germany 4 Australia 5 Pakistan 6 England 7 S Korea 8 Canada 9 India 10 New Zealand 11 Malaysia 12 Poland
Most Individual Goals in a Match: 4 by Jay Stacey (Aus) Vs Malaysia in 1998
4 by Seong Tae Song (S Kor) Vs Canada in 1998
Hat tricks: by Seong Tae Song (S Korea) Vs Canada
Leading Goal Scorer: 12 by Jay Stacey (Aus)
9 by Bram Lomans (Neth)
Player of the Tournament: Oliver Domke (Germany)
Fair Play Trophy: Germany


*****


For kind publications
Arun Arnaw
30 Vivekanand Nagar
Yadav Colony
Jabalpur (MP) 482 002

e-mail: arunarnaw@yahoo.com
E-Mail this article to a friend
Rate This Article

Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.

Opinions expressed here do not represent the official views of PlanetFieldHockey.com or its staff. Comments will be removed if they are considered offensive or of a personal nature.
Comments on this article
Srikanth
02-19-2002  10:40 pm
Report this post
Great JOB
Appreciated.Did a great job..
The German
02-20-2002  4:51 am
Report this post
Germany gonna kick ass at the worl cup!!!
we will win it!!no worries about that!!!
We've got the best coach and a very good mix between young and experienced players.

No doubt!!we make it!!!

patrick
THE PAKISTANI
02-20-2002  11:52 am
Report this post
GO PAKISTAN
We will kick a lot of European Ass .....especially Geramn ass...and enjoy it too. Germany will not be able to make it to the final.

Germany will be lucky to get number 6!!

Final: Pakistan 3 Holand 1

Pakistani in Atlanta
Paul
02-20-2002  3:19 pm
Report this post
It'll be highly amusing if neither
Pakistan nor Germany win the WC especially since these are the teams
that have bragged the most. I
can understand Germany being arrogant
but Pakistan ?
madi
02-20-2002  6:53 pm
Report this post
pak vs ger final - Ger win 2-1
pakistan have always played well in M'sia and they also enjoy good crowd support apart from India...their recent performance and trump card in Sohail Abbas make them a good bet for the title...though if I were a betting man, i'd put my money on Germany to win the cup for the first time...Holland are also good bets for the title...but recent form has not been convincing...will be the team to beat if they click when it matters, and their two corner specialists, Lomans and Taekema decide to show up for work..Australia looks good for the semis, though looks likely to live up to their "chokers" tag...whilst India, S Korea, Spain and Argentina are dark horses...one team I'm fond of is South Africa...and will be one of the more interesting teams to watch...but it's difficult to see them making semis...top six is possible...the rest are also-rans...Malaysia will consider it an achievement to make the top 10...whilst Cuba looks likely to finish last.
mushtaq
02-21-2002  1:12 am
Report this post
Pakistan from what I have seen of late ,has the synergy to win the world cup for the fifth time , the only obstacle is Germany . The climate in malaysia definately favours the pakis.
madi
02-21-2002  1:46 am
Report this post
prediction
my prediction on final standings of the 10th World Cup (based on analysis, gut feeling, past experience, and knowledge of the teams!)

1. Germany (Germany beats Pakistan 2-1
Oliver Domke chosen as Player of the Tournament yet again, and Man-of-the-Final...scores the winner in typical fashion...dribbling past three defenders and unleashing an unstoppable reverse stick hit!)
2. Pakistan (tough luck! Sohail hits the post twice during final - left and right)
3. Australia (choke yet again! "not to worry...we'll win Gold at Athens!!...so says the captain...Brent "I cost Australia the Sydney Gold" Livermore)
4. South Korea (must be coz of all that dog stew! better stick to kimchi!!)
5. The Netherlands (Lomans sucks! Taekema sucks 2X!)
6. India (better luck for Athens '04!, Cedric gets fired..KPS Gill decides to try his hand at coaching)
7. Spain (over the hill...Escarre and Arnau should retire!)
8. England (KL is too hot!!...no proper fish and chips too!!)
9. Argentina (Lombi crumbled under pressure! Coach also blames Peso devaluation and lack of match practice..."we'll be back for Athens!!")
10. Malaysia (achieved target..major "achievement" so Lissek can quit in a blaze of glory and focus on grassroots development!)
11. S Africa (KL is way hotter than Durban!..and Greg Nicol was off form)
12. Poland (well...Piotr Mikula was not around anyway, so no one to score goals..besides, it was too damn hot!)
13. New Zealand (we're rebuilding for the Athens Olympics!..."WC not a priority" says the coach..yeah, whatever)
14. Japan (we're just happy to play in the WC :))...besides, the sushi here is not fresh!)
15. Belgium (man, too hot to play hockey..we'll play u anytime in Europe!)
16. Cuba (we haven't had any games since the Pan-Am Games...what do u expect???)
Kalvyn
02-21-2002  3:10 am
Report this post
Dont you think the Germans will be use to the climate at that stage? Are the Paki's mentaly ready to over power there opponents to take the cup.

Kalvyn
PAKISTANI
02-21-2002  4:14 am
Report this post
To Paul
Paul:::
""I can understand Germany being
arrogant but Pakistan ? ""

Actually Paul the fact here is that,Germany may be acting arrogant,but Pakistan is simply realistic.
H Dhillon
02-21-2002  7:25 am
Report this post
C'on guy's it is world cup, every team counts here, it is not a game of 2 or 3 teams, and every team will give tough fight, and it depends on the performence of team on the given day, in papers every one can win, but only the team play good in the match will win, so let's see and hope, that we can enjoy some classical and good hockey.
Ralph
02-21-2002  9:06 am
Report this post
re Pakistani
sorry, but you comment only sparks laughter.
Personally, I feel that no team has any right to be arrogant, maybe optimistic, as matches are won on the pitch, not off them.
Furthermore, I would argue that Germany has not acted arrogant but maybe some newspaper have (wrongly) portrayed them to do so.

Maybe you have lost touch with reality a bit. Pakistan after a last!! place in the Chamopinship Trophy should not be arrogant at all but look at upsetting the hierarchy as an underdog. Them as Favourites? No chance. Is there any possibility of you could explaining me why I have met so many players from Pakistan, some undoubtly amazing talents but all with a remarkable lack of self-criticism so needed to improve your own performance.
Your help is really appreciated.

I do support Germany in the world cup but would enjoy seeing Cuba as a total unknown underdog do well.
Pakistani
02-21-2002  9:40 am
Report this post
To Ralph..
""Pakistan after a last!! place in the Chamopinship Trophy should not be arrogant at all but look at upsetting the hierarchy as an underdog."" (Ralph).


I only have to say,correct your facts!!!
Big Ears
02-21-2002  9:58 am
Report this post
South Africa
I think South Africa may cause a few upsets. With the like of Clark , Cullen and Nicol, they should be taken lightly. If anything that counts against them is the lack of international competition because of the diabolical decision of NOCSA, not allowing them to the Olympics.
desi@au
02-21-2002  10:05 am
Report this post
well done madi
god job madi....your comments were funny doesn't matter how far from reality they are and yeah mr RALPH ...u r talking about pakisan's performance in champions trophy but why don't u see their performance in recent SIX NATION CHAMPIONSHIP....didn't they beat most of the favourites in that tournament and i even i was amazed to see how well they played against AUSTRALIA AND NETHERLAND...i wouldn't have be so hopeful about pakistan's performance if i hadn't seen this tournament...SHAHBAZ AHMAD HAS MADE THE HUGE DIFFERENCE IN PAKISTANI SIDE....and yeah Shahbaz wasn't playing in champion's trophy....good luck evryone
Ralph
02-21-2002  10:24 am
Report this post
I must apologise for the wrong fact but the argument still stands, pakistan tends to overestimate what they are capable of.
Anyway, the answer to all our discussions will be presented on the 9th of March. I would be surprised if Pakistan will finish top but good luck to them.

Go on Germany and Cuba.
VG
02-21-2002  11:14 am
Report this post
Good Stuff !!!
Good statistics by Arun A. And good, humorous analysis by Madi !!! Hopefully, India should reach higher than sixth....(guys I have never seen India reach a semis in either the WC or the Olympics since 1982, I was only a kid then, now I am too old even to remember 1980...baljit and co., pl. give us a hockey medal...).

If Australia are the chokers for a world title (mind the aberration of 1986), India are the chokers for a semi-final place (remember 0-0 with germany in 1984 or the draw against poland in 2000 ?)...

Any way, all the best to India !!! --- VG, London
Abdul Hayi Mansoor
02-21-2002  1:31 pm
Report this post
Pakistan Will be the Winner
With the player like Shahbaz, Sohail and Kashif pakistan has a real chance of wining the wc for record 5th time. To me final will be Pak-Ger or Pak-Hol
Good Luck Pakistan
David
02-21-2002  4:15 pm
Report this post
About Pakistan
I think Pakistan are a trifle
overrated. The win in the six nations
tourney proves nothing - netherlands and australia treated that purely as a
warmup. They'll rise to the big occasion. Tell me when did Pakistan last
win a big tournament - 1994? Lots of
mediocre performances since then - only
1 semis appearance in the two olympics and 1 world cup since. Pakistan have
a decent forward line but their defence
is slow and will be exposed for lack
of pace in this tournament.
Aloo
02-21-2002  7:48 pm
Report this post
Pak's problem is defence
Pakistan can only win this world cup if they sort out their defence. However they do score goals (heard of Sohail Abbas?)...and with a rejuvenated veteran legend in Shahbaz Ahmed, they have more of a chance than previously shown in major tournaments.

However I'd like to see an exciting world cup where all teams do well.
Nick
02-21-2002  10:38 pm
Report this post
Madi
Mad madi, for your info Australia
are captained by Paul Gaudoin and not
Brent Livermore. Australia to win the WC
PAKISTANI
02-22-2002  12:56 am
Report this post
To David
""The win in the six nations
tourney proves nothing - netherlands and australia treated that purely as a warmup."" (david)

I hope the same goes for the current tournament.
Schmee
02-22-2002  3:48 am
Report this post
Re: Big Ears
I agree with you. SA have the potential to definitely cause a few upsets in the tourney. Madi - I enjoyed your analysis but hope that the SA side does a bit better than 11th tho!! Whatever happens, there is going to be some cracking hockey in the next few weeks ;o)
Funboy
02-22-2002  4:28 am
Report this post
Madi you idiot
Madi...ever been in a situation with as much pressure at Brent Livermore was in.....I DOUBT IT.

GO AUSSIES.
miccath
02-22-2002  7:30 am
Report this post
hey...
k, this hasn't got anythin to do with all your stuff... i just wanted to tell this guy that wrote all this that germany was neither "west germany" in 1990 nor in 1994... how bout changin it...???
anyway... i hope germany will make it but we'll see...
Old Timer
02-22-2002  8:09 am
Report this post
Sense of Humour Failure!
Nice one Funboy!! - everyone else has taken Madi's OBVIOUSLY tongue -in-cheek comments pretty well - Luckily not all Aussies lack a sense of humour (or are you Livermore?!!).
dr ubaid
02-22-2002  8:40 am
Report this post
pakistan....
hello every one !!!!
i think pakistan will win the world cup...but if their defense work
Wasimullah
02-22-2002  6:21 pm
Report this post
I've already posted this before!!!
I already said this twice before..Pk has a bad defensiveline..too slow ..!!! late tackles..!!! Sohail is a specialist goal scorer but what about preventing some from going in???
desi@au
02-23-2002  11:47 am
Report this post
AGREE WITH ALOO
YEAH U R RIGHT MR ALOO ..I THINK PAKISTAN HAVE ONE OF THE BEST FORWARD LINES AT THE MOMENT.....AND THEY SCORE LOT OF GOALS BUT THEIR REAL PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE BEEN DEFENCE ..they score lot of goals as well as they concede so yeah pakistan's defence will be the main key to gain the cup ...good luck to pakistan and good luck to all the teams......i think pakistan r not the real favourites ...germany,netherland and australia are all equally balanced and yeah i would love to see one of the underdogs at least in semis...that will be fun..
Jimmy
02-27-2002  9:35 pm
Report this post
Agree Holland win
I challege Holland will win the world cup. No way to Pakistan win
ersin
05-06-2002  5:14 am
Report this post
key
uLa worl cupa 2002 keyini bulamadım dellendim zikicem böLe işi amınam buLan oLursa gecemscript@hotmail.com a atsın rica ediyorum.. :)
ROBERT
04-27-2004  2:51 pm
Report this post
WORLD CUP
ASIAN WERE DOING WELL WHEN THEY PLAYED THE HOCKEY GAME ON THE GRASS PITCH BECAUSE THOSE TEAM WITH SKILL FULL PLAYERS ABLE TO PERFORM WELL. THE GAME WAS ENJOYABLE TO WATCH.

HOWEVER NOW PLAYING ON ASTOTURF SPOIL THE BEAUTY OF THE GAME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE ASIAN HOCKEY COUNTRYS AGREED WHEN THEY WESTERENS INTROUDUCED THE ASTOTRUF!!!!
Kamrus
06-10-2004  2:10 pm
Report this post
Astroturf Field Hockey
Ever since field hockey moved to astroturf from natural grass, the players perform like robots. They should rename the game as astrohockey or robohockey, since filedhockey in the true sense is not been played on the world stage any longer.

Sure the game is played at a fast level, but the skill levels has dimished in terms of attractive dribbling, flair etc. Hockey's popularity has declined in African countries because of the cost factor, such as laying astro turf pitches, astro turf shoes etc. No wonder soccer and atheltics are very popular in Africa because of the cost factor.

The bully off, was an exciting part of the game, but I guess the pinball technique of playing modern hockey has been preferred by the FIH brass. The asian countries unfortunately don't have the backbone to stand up the European dominated FIH brass. What a pity!

After all if the sport is cheap, it will become popular around the world.
Enter your own Comments
Your Name:
Subject (Optional):
Your Comments:

These comments will not be posted live until they are reviewed

HOME | FEATURES | CLUBHOUSE | CAMPS | LINKS | ABOUT US | STORE | ADVERTISE
Use of this site is subject to certain Terms & Conditions.
Get our FREE Newsletter

  Search Articles
   
PFH Clubhouse Comment of the Week
MJWC: India: IHF official levels overage charges
By: Ankit Desai

Page Generation Time: 0.07 seconds...