LAHORE: Head coach of Pakistan hockey team, former Olympian, Khawaja Muhammad Junaid said on Tuesday that missing of chances let his team down in the final against India in the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan.
“It was unfortunate to suffer a defeat in the final as we missed a series of chances against India in the dying stages of the ultimate showdown,” he told APP on the return of the team from Malaysia at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
13 players and officials landed at Lahore while a few players reached Karachi. Three of the team members took flights for Europe to fulfill their commitment with the league.
Junaid said he was saddened that the team could not defend the title and was beaten by arch rivals India.
“If we look at the overall performance of the team, I would term it ‘good’ as the young players inducted the inside are justifying their inclusion.”
“India was a far better opponent due to their superior international ranking and their players are playing together in the team for past few years whereas we are in process of building the team and gave chance to young players,” said the former Olympian.
The team official said another reason which was responsible for defeat to India was players lack of experience of playing international matches abroad.
“Nowadays International hockey has become very competitive and it is very imperative to expose the young talent to international matches in order to polish their skills and to boost confidence,” he said.
He said the present regime of Pakistan Hockey comprising, President, Brig retd Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Secretary Shahbaz Ahmad is striving for the revival and betterment of hockey and that is why fresh blood is being inducted in the team and juniors strings are being formed.
“We are improving with each passing day and the it is good to see that young talent is gelling with experienced players and that day is not far when our team will start producing desired results,” said the head coach.
He said participation in champions trophy was a good experience for the young players despite facing shocking defeat to hosts Malaysia in the opener.
“PHF has designed a plan for the grooming and training of the senior team and has set a number of targets which obviously can not be achieved in short span of time as re building of a team needs solid efforts and years long hard work and commitment,” he said.
Junaid said the next target on which the team management is focusing is to qualify for the World Cup. “The qualifying round of the World Cup is the world hockey league to be played next year in England and we will be aiming to play as many as thirty international matches abroad before playing the league,” he added.
