Pakistan’s reverse flick at Ipoh

For Pakistan hockey the trip to Malaysia has seen a much-awaited U-turn. After their first ever medalless show at the Busan Asian Games last...

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For Pakistan hockey the trip to Malaysia has seen a much-awaited U-turn. After their first ever medalless show at the Busan Asian Games last year, Pakistan’s sensational win over Germany in the Azlan Shah Cup this Sunday is a shot in the arm for hockey in the sub-continent.

The victory in Malaysia not just gives solace to the Pakistan sports fans after the cricket debacle at South Africa but signals of comeback of Asian hockey on the international circuit. But the question that needs to be asked is: What is it that changed from the agony at Busan to the ecstasy in Ipoh? In one word the answer is: Everything.

After losing to India in the semi-final of the Asiad, the Pakistan Hockey Federation lost no time in setting its house in order. The following are the steps taken which saw Pakistan’s get their first title in three years:

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• The victory came after sweeping changes in the team management and induction of fresh faces in the national squad

• Former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh was back as the team’s head coach

• Former Pakistan skipper Tahir Zaman, who was the team’s head coach was retained but placed under Shahnaz

• Veteran forward Mohammad Sarwar, Pakistan’s skipper in 2002 was dropped from the side and Nadeem was appointed in his place

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• The think-tank persisted with short-corner ace Sohail Abbas as their key to winning matches. Abbas lived upto the expectations with five goals to win the best player of the tournament award

• Before the tournament, Pakistan’s prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan, a former chief selector and first-class player passed orders for reviving hockey. The national carrier — PIA is reviving employment schemes for talented hockey players.

Some may point out that the Germans had rested their key players like Domke, Michel, Kunz, Eimer and Emmerling but the Pakistanis had an impressive outing throughout the tournament. They thrashed the Kiwis 6-1 in their opening match and put up a good fight against Germany in the next but lost it 3-4. In the next round they beat the Asian Games bronze medallists Malaysia 3-1 and held on to their nerve in the crucial match for a berth in the final, beating South Korea 1-0. Star player Sohail Abbas was the fulcrum of the team’s performance.

During the final, recalled goalkeeper Ahmed Alam and newcomer Rehan Butt were in their element and the latter set up the winning goal.

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With a young Pakistan side doing so well in an international tournament the Ipoh victory augurs well for the team for 2004 Olympics.