Nations Cup serious challenge for Pakistan: Head Coach

ISLAMABAD: As the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is set to start final phase of the camp for the preparations of the Nations Cup from May 6, team’s Head Coach Tahir Zaman was seeing a real battle ahead to earn a place in next year’s FIH Pro League.

Talking to ‘The News’ at the end of the first phase held in POF Wah, Tahir said some of the best teams would be seen in action in the Nations Cup. “All these teams are threatening to replace some of the best outfits already playing in the FIH Pro League. The competition would be tough as all the outfits, barring Pakistan, are busy playing international matches these days, getting ready for the big occasion,” he added.

Pakistan have been placed in Group B of the Nations Cup starting in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) from June 15. “Our first target will be to earn a place in the semis. We are placed in a tougher pool with New Zealand, Malaysia, and Japan in our group. All these teams are busy playing international matches these days. Malaysia are in Australia these days, where they have already played four test matches. Then the team will move to New Zealand for more matches before getting engaged against Korea on way back to Malaysia. The same is the case with other teams. We are not so lucky in that respect, and our federation faces financial hurdles to take a trip to Europe or to any other renowned hockey-playing nation.”

The best thing, according to the head coach, is the talent and potential some of the players have. “Despite lack of international exposure, we have some positives on our side. The talent the team has and the coordination between the players and coaches are exceptional. I have worked with these players when they were with the junior string, so it is easier for me to understand them, and it is also true from the players’ perspective,” Tahir said.

The FIH High Performance coach was positive about the team’s potential. “We are not sure about the opponents’ potential and current form. Had we played a few matches against them in recent times, we would have been in a better frame of mind on our chances. Yet I believe that team has got the potential to make it to the semis. From there on, a real battle starts ahead to win the Nations Cup.” The tournament involves eight of the best backup teams aiming to make it to the FIH Pro League next year.