ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The Pakistan national hockey team braces for a formidable test as they kick off their Nations Cup campaign this Sunday against hosts Malaysia in the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur.
Entering the tournament alongside several top-tier international sides, the Men in Green find themselves in a demanding position, needing both resilience and tactical precision to make their mark.
Head coach Tahir Zaman, a seasoned strategist and former great of the game, acknowledged the uphill battle awaiting his side.
“This is going to be a rigorous challenge,” he said. “We’re up against highly ranked, battle-hardened teams that have been consistently active on the international circuit. Malaysia, in particular, have been in fine form, having toured Australia and Korea recently.
Unfortunately, we haven’t had that level of international exposure in the lead-up to the event.”
Despite the lack of pre-tournament match practice, Pakistan managed to squeeze in a solitary warm-up encounter against Korea, which ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat. But Zaman played down the result.
“It was a short-format match — just ten minutes per quarter — and very much an experimental run. We deliberately held back on revealing our full strategy, especially with the Malaysian contingent observing from the sidelines.”
The build-up was further disrupted by the cancellation of two scheduled warm-up matches due to the delayed arrival of France and South Africa. Nevertheless, Zaman sees a silver lining.
“One major advantage for us is that we arrived early in Malaysia,” he emphasized. “That has allowed our players to acclimatize to the intense heat and humidity — conditions that can prove decisive. The boys are now fully settled and physically conditioned to take on the challenge.”
Facing Malaysia on home soil, especially in a tournament opener, is never a straightforward task. “They’ll have the home crowd behind them, and they’re used to playing in these conditions,” Zaman admitted. “But our squad is fit, focused, and ready to rise to the occasion. I have faith in their ability to deliver under pressure.”
With a game plan meticulously crafted, Zaman expressed optimism about his team’s opening performance. “If we execute our strategy with discipline and precision, I’m confident we can make a strong statement from the outset.”
The FIH Nations Cup is widely regarded as a proving ground for elite teams not part of the FIH Pro League, and competition is expected to be fierce.
“Make no mistake,” Zaman noted, “this tournament features some of the finest sides outside the Pro League. While I won’t make bold predictions, I can assure fans that Pakistan will fight for every inch of turf. We’ll compete with pride and intensity — and we’re here to challenge, not just participate.”
The tournament’s opening day will feature a full slate of high-voltage matchups. Alongside the Pakistan-Malaysia clash, New Zealand will square off against Japan, while in Group A, France will lock horns with Korea, and Wales will meet South Africa.
As Pakistan steps onto the pitch under Kuala Lumpur’s blazing lights, all eyes will be on a team seeking to reignite its historic legacy on the global stage.
One thing is certain-they’re there with intent, and they’re ready to battle.