Pakistan’s World Cup Campaign and Preparations
The Pakistan men’s hockey team has returned to the FIH World Cup after an eight-year absence. Captain Abu Bakar Mahmood expressed optimism about ending the team’s decade-long winless streak against India at the tournament, emphasizing that current rankings are less important than on-day performance in such high-stakes matches. Pakistan is part of Pool D in the World Cup.
Mahmood, who leads a relatively young squad, aims to uphold Pakistan’s legacy as a successful team in World Cup history, having secured four titles. He believes the team is well-prepared for the tournament, despite a disappointing performance in the Pro League where they finished ninth.
The captain noted that the Pro League served as a learning experience for the team. He stated that their goal in the Pro League was not to win the title, but to learn, and their performance in the World Cup will demonstrate what they have gained from that experience. Pakistan qualified for the World Cup after reaching the final of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Just before the team’s departure for the World Cup, Dutch head coach Herman Kruis returned home, with goalkeeping coach Bob-Johan Veldhof taking over the team’s leadership. Mahmood acknowledged the hard work of Coach Adnan Zakir, Bob, and the support staff, noting its positive impact on the team.
The team includes Mahmood and former captain Ammad Butt, who are the only two players to have participated in the 2018 World Cup. Mahmood, who was the youngest player in the 2018 World Cup at 19 years old, intends to share his experience with the younger players.
India-Pakistan Rivalry and Domestic Hockey
The India-Pakistan match is scheduled for August 19. India began their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wales. In contrast, Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat against England in their opening Pool D match.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar, who represented Pakistan in 230 international matches, highlighted the lack of a robust domestic hockey structure as a primary reason for Pakistan’s decline. Akbar, now based in the Netherlands, pointed out that India, after failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, invested in its domestic structure, including the Hockey India League, and coaching systems, which contributed to their current status as medal contenders.
Akbar anticipates that the rivalry between India and Pakistan will remain intense, despite the differing fortunes of the two teams. He believes the upcoming match presents an opportunity for Pakistan to end their winless streak against India, which dates back to 2016. The last time Pakistan defeated India was 4-3 in the Champions Trophy in London in June 2016. More recently, India secured victories against Pakistan with scores of 4-3 and 7-1 in the London leg of the FIH Pro League.
Mahmood acknowledged India’s higher ranking and their achievement of winning medals in two consecutive Olympics, calling it a positive development for Asian hockey. However, he reiterated that rankings are secondary in the India-Pakistan encounter, with the performance on the day being the decisive factor.
Akbar also noted that India’s current goalkeepers, Mohit HS and Suraj Karkera, have benefited from working alongside former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. He stated that Sreejesh’s experience and influence continue to benefit the current generation of players.
Match Incidents and Future Goals
During their opening match against England, Pakistan encountered a notable incident in the 17th minute. After England had taken a 1-0 lead, Pakistan’s captain Abu Bakar Mahmood received a green card and spent two minutes on the sidelines due to a delay involving the team’s penalty-corner protective gear. According to former captain Salman Akbar’s social media post, the equipment was reportedly forgotten in the changing room.
Akbar expressed his dismay at the incident, describing it as an “unwanted record” and questioning the team’s discipline and organization at a major tournament like the World Cup. He emphasized that preparation extends beyond tactics, fitness, and skills to include discipline and organization.
Pakistan’s immediate goal for the World Cup is to reach the last eight, with a longer-term focus on the Asian Games. Mahmood hopes the tournament will be a positive experience for him and his team.
Source: m.rediff.com
