Pakistan

By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: Pakistan are hoping that history will repeat itself and help the
green shirts in their quest to win the inaugural edition of the Afro-Asian
Games starting in the south Indian city of Hyderabad from October 24.
In the past, Pakistan have won most of the inaugural events on the
international circuit like the World Cup, the Champions Trophy and the Asia
Cup and they are now eyeing the Afro-Asia Cup which will bring together the
top hockey playing nations from two continents for the very first time.
“Pakistan have had enjoyed a very good track record as far as inaugural
editions of major tournaments are concerned and we are confident that our
team will continue that tradition in Hyderabad,” Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman
said on Saturday while talking to this correspondent from Lahore.
The Pakistanis are presently training in Lahore for the eight-nation
tournament to be held from October 24 to November 1. They have been placed
in Pool B along with hosts and arch-rivals India, Egypt and Zimbabwe. Asian
Games champions South Korea, Malaysia, South Africa and Ghana comprise the
other group.
Tahir said that his team’s first target in the Games would be to reach the
semi-finals.
He pointed out that though it seems to be an easy task but added that his
team will be taking nothing for granted even against seemingly weaker
oppositions like pool rivals Egypt.
The Pakistani coach agreed that his players would certainly be looking to
avenge their Asia Cup final defeat to India in Kuala Lumpur when they take
on the hosts in a pool match in Hyderabad on October 27.
“The matches against India always carry more importance than other games and
we will certainly go after an all out victory in that encounter.”
Tahir felt that there were solid chances that the ultimate showdown of the
Afro-Asian Games might be a repeat of the Asia Cup final as both Pakistan
and India were strong enough to reach the last stage of the competition.
“Though both Pakistan and India will be playing in Hyderabad without several
of their key players, even then I believe that they have the best chances of
reaching the final.”
Pakistan have decided to rest four of their important players including
short corner marksman Sohail Abbas and veteran goal-keeper Ahmed Alam.
In-form striker Kashif Jawwad and winger Mohammad Shabbir are also out of
the 196-member squad announced by Pakistan for Hyderabad.
Tahir said that it will be the services of Sohail Abbas that his team will
miss the most but was quick to point out that Pakistan have some aces up
their sleeves to compensate for Sohail’s absence.
“We have been making alternate arrangements for quite some time and will be
using them in Hyderabad since Sohail’s drag flicks and or available.”
Tahir said that substitute short corner striker Ghazanfar Ali was in good
touch while experienced defender Ali Raza can also be useful in that area.
The coach said that he was expecting rookie forwards Tariq Aziz and Akhtar
Ali, called from the national junior team, to click in Hyderabad.
“It is a good opportunity for these youngsters to exhibit their talents and
I am hoping that they will not disappoint in the tournament.”
The Pakistanis are scheduled to leave Lahore for Hyderabad on October 20,
three days before their opening match against minnows Zimbabwe.

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