Pakistan hope to surprise Dutch in London today

CARDIFF, Wales: As Pakistan’s cricket team continued to punch above its weight in the ICC Champion Trophy on Wednesday, the country’s hockey players were hoping to follow suit ahead of what is their most important assignment of the year, writes Khalid Hussain.

Getting underway here at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from Thursday (today), the FIH Hockey World League Semifinal round is an event where Pakistan are desperate to make their presence felt.

The contest also serves as the qualifying round for World Cup 2018 which is why it’s doubly important for Pakistan to give their best in it.

They open their campaign with a tough game against the Netherlands on Thursday (today). The Dutch have one of the best teams in the world but if Pakistan are intimidated they re hiding it well.

“It’s good that we are playing against one of the world’s best teams in our opening match,” Pakistan coach Khawaja Junaid told ‘The News’ from London on Wednesday.

“It’s always good to play against the top side at the start of the tournament because such a game underlines your strengths and weaknesses as a team,” said Junaid, a former Olympian.

While not many are willing to give Pakistan a chance, Junaid said that his young team has the potential to surprise even a high quality opposition like the Netherlands.

“We have a young team and the boys are itching to go out there and give the Dutch a run for their money,” he said.

“We have played a series of matches in Australia and Holland in recent weeks and that has given our players experience and confidence.”

Pakistan are hoping that their young short corner specialist Abu Bakr will emerge as a surprise weapon in the tournament.

“He is a good penalty corner striker and we are hoping that he will do well in the tournament.”

Pakistan also have the likes of Aleem Bilal, Umar Bhutta and Ali Shan who, according to Junaid should shine in the tournament.

Pakistan failed to qualify for World Cup 2014 and also missed the cut for the Rio Olympics last year.

The Pakistanis are featuring in the first of the two 2017 HWL Semi-Finals in London, from June 15-25. The other Semi-Final will be played in Johannesburg, South Africa, from July 9-23.

Groups:

Pool A: Argentina, England, South Korea, Malaysia and China.

Pool B: Netherlands, India, Canada, Pakistan and Scotland.

Pakistan’s Pool Matches: vs Netherlands (June 15), vs Canada (June 16), vs India (June 18), vs Scotland (June 19).

Quarter-Finals and 9th/10th place match: June 22.

Semi-Finals and matches for 5th-8th place: June 24.

Final and 3rd/4th, 5th/6th & 7th/8th place matches: June 25.