Spirited Pakistan clash with hosts France
03 November, 2009
LILLE: Spirited Pakistan clash with hosts France in their Hockey World Cup 2010 Qualifiers match at the Métropole Club Ground here Tuesday (today). Pakistan, who won their first two ties against Italy and Russia easily, are all set to crush their opponents in increasingly cold, windy and rainy conditions. Coach Shahid Ali Khan told Our Sources on Monday that his boys were determined and geared up for their third encounter of the competition. “We know that every game for us is like a do-or-die game. We can’t make any errors and there is no room for complacency against the world number 17,” he added. In other ties of the day, Italy meet Japan and Poland lock horns with Russia.
Shahid said the green shirts had trained hard in hot weather in Lahore but did not find enough time to acclimatise in France. “Despite some handicaps, we did perform up to the mark. We take a couple of minutes to find some rhythm in the cold weather. But once we are in rhythm, we take control of the game.”
Pakistan were scheduled to undertake a tour of Europe during September-October and had planned to play eight warm-up matches in France, Poland and Belgium to acclimatise. But the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was forced to call off the tour after the French embassy in Islamabad took more than two months to issue visas to the Pakistan squad. Shahid said though his team won the first two matches with ease but some mistakes were made. “I want my boys to remain consistent, avoid mistakes and win their remaining matches with big margins to show that Pakistan are still a force to be reckoned with,” he added.
Pakistan, winners of three Olympic gold medals, failed to earn a place in the World Cup when they were defeated in the Asia Cup 2009 final. The green shirts, who remained up in the clouds for more than three decades, are striving hard for a big title. Since winning the 1994 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan’s national sport is in decline. They have not won any Asian title since winning the Asian Games in China 19 years ago. Pakistan finished a poor eighth at the Beijing Olympic Games last year – their worst ever showing in the Olympics. They have also missed out on the elite six-nation Champions Trophy in 2008 and 2009 – to be held in Australia next month.
To a question, Shahid admitted that Pakistan were facing difficulty of smooth flow. “Due to extreme chilly conditions, our boys are facing problems and the pitch is also a bit bumpy which hampers the flow of the players but as the time progresses the things will get right for us and we are confident to achieve our objectives.” The former goalkeeper said that Pakistan’s output on short corner was fifty percent which was not bad but still efforts were being made to further streamline the area so that more encouraging results could be produced in the remaining matches. Despite the cold, wet and windy conditions, the courageous fans are filling the stands and enjoying the qualifying round matches with enthusiasm. With two wins in as many games, Japan can be happy of their start in the competition that put them in an ideal position. The French, at third position with four points, are not happy with their lackluster performance against minnows Italy and Poland.
With a weak defence, France are unlikely to put up any strong challenge to Pakistan. However, Pakistan, Japan and France have very bright chances to finish as top three teams of the qualifiers.
The World Cup will be played from February 28 to March 13 in New Delhi, India with 12 teams taking part in it. Nine teams have already qualified for the mega event through continental rounds while three teams will be selected after playing qualifying rounds. Pakistan have never missed a World Cup since the event’s inception in 1971 in Barcelona. Pakistan won the inaugural title and then went on to clinch three more titles in 1978 in Buenos Aires, 1982 in Mumbai and 1994 in Sydney. Pakistan have reached the World Cup final six times.
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