ISLAMABAD – With 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup approaching, the former Olympians on Wednesday urged Pakistan hockey team to go in the extravaganza with step by step planning as to make a mark in the event beginning November 28 at India.
Talking to APP, Former Olympian Tahir Zaman said Pakistan team must set up a target of qualifying for the quarterfinals first in the World Cup. “After making it to the quarterfinals then the team must think forward,” he said.
He said it is a very good thing that Pakistan’s first match is against tough Germany as they will get plentiful of experience through that game and hopefully can even beat them.
“Pakistan is already capable of beating Malaysia as they did previously in Asian Games 2018 when they outclassed Malaysia by 4-1,” he said.
He said after the pool matches if we qualify for the crossovers then we will come up against Canada or South Africa which we can overcome easily.
“Pakistan must not take pressure of the crowd and should not listen to the Indian media’s analysis on them,” he said and added players should just focus on playing good hockey in the tournament.
Olympian Shahnaz Shaikh said Pakistan is placed in Pool D against Netherlands, Germany, and Malaysia which is a tough pool.
“But our team is a blend of youth and experience which has the capability to beat any team on a day,” he said.
He said players need to improve their movements and points marking in the D. “Pakistan did well in the Asian Champions Trophy but this is a World Cup and Pakistan must prepare accordingly,” he said.
Shahnaz said Pakistan must avoid counterattacks and should improve the conversion of penalty corners.
“If we get 3 to 4 penalty corners at least 2 must be utilized,” he said. He said our players must play with unity and should avoid point scoring individually.
