Chief coach Junaid outlines World Cup qualification plan

KARACHI: Pakistan’s chief coach Khuwaja Junaid has said that they had chalked out a plan to qualify for World Cup 2018.

“Despite all hurdles and conspiracies, we have not lost heart as far as World Cup 2018 qualification is concerned,” he told ‘The News’. “We will participate in the World Hockey League in London in June from where top four teams are eligible to qualify for the World Cup,” Junaid said.

“The national hockey championship is being organised in December-January because we missed the Junior World Cup. All senior and junior hockey players will participate in the championship from their departments. Those juniors who play well will be selected for the training camp of the senior team,” he said.

He did not rule out the possibility of some seniors’ exclusion. “Those who do not perform well in the national hockey championship can be dropped. The senior hockey team will be prepared keeping in mind the importance of World Hockey League in London, which will be qualifying round for World Cup 2018,” Junaid said.

He said Pakistan were in Pool A of the World Hockey League with India and Holland.

The other teams will be finalised in January-February.

Junaid said that Asia Cup 2017 is another route to qualify for World Cup, as the winning team will get a place in the World Cup. “Keeping in view the attitude of the Indians, we have focused on playing well in London. For preparation in the qualifying rounds we want to play maximum international matches against strong teams and in this regard New Zealand have confirmed a test series. Australia are yet to confirm,” he said.

Pakistan senior team would play at least 10 international matches, if Australia also agreed.

Junaid further said Pakistan would also play Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament in April, where the Indian hockey team would also participate.