Green-shirts depart for London today

World Cup qualifier

KARACHI: Pakistan team leaves on Saturday (today) morning for the all-important Hockey World League’s semi-final round in London which is also the qualifier for the 2018 World Cup.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

PHF president Brig (rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and secretary Shahbaz Ahmed met the team and the officials at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on Friday evening.

Talking to reporters, Brigadier Khokhar appeared hopeful. “The boys are well prepared for the event. They are physically fit and also fully motivated,” he said.

He said that all possible facilities were provided to the team during their preparation process for this most important event.

The PHF president said players were being sent to England 15 days before the event so that they could get accustomed to the environment of England.

The three test matches with Ireland would give final touches to their preparation, he added.

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed said that it was time to give players confidence so that they could go with open heart and mind to this “most important” event.

He said players were supper fit and in full form.

When asked about Pakistan’s tough pool in London, Head Coach Khwaja Junaid said: “We will take every match seriously. These days no team is a pushover. Boys’ shortcomings seen in Australia and New Zealand have been addressed in the camp.”

Captain Haseem Khan was also optimistic. “Some people are repeatedly asking about the match against India. All the matches are equally important; India are just one of the opponents. Our aim is to achieve good results and qualify for the World Cup,” he said.

Prior to the London event, Pakistan will play against Ireland in Belfast, on June 1, 3 and 4. They will also play against Ireland’s under 21 side, on June 6 and 7.