Pakistan’s weak defence badly exposed

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team returned after losing the final of the three-nation tournament in Oman to Japan.

The team’s performance did not much impress as the Green-shirts lost the final against Japan and before that were held to a 4-4 draw by minnows Oman. The performance of the goalkeepers has been poor for long but in Oman their performance was unfathomable.

Conceding four goals in fifteen minutes — three of them in five minutes—against Oman can easily be called the lowest point of Pakistan hockey. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan were without the services of their experienced defenders Irfan and Rashid.

Pakistan are to play four big events this year, including the Asian Games and World Cup. If the defenders cannot stop the Omani forwards, who are not so skilful, how they will defend against Australia, Germany, Argentina, Holland, and Spain in the Champions Trophy in June.

Pakistan conceded 10 goals in five matches in the tournament. Eight short corners were given in the match against Japan in the league round. It showed that the defenders failed to stop the Japanese forwards.

Against Oman, the second choice goalkeeper Amjad Ali was played and against Japan in the final experienced Imran Butt was the goalkeeper. Sources said that on a number of occasions defenders made silly mistakes due to which the goalkeepers came under pressure.

“The performance of defenders should be monitored,” a former international player said. “If these defenders cannot stop the Omani attacks, what can be expected of them in the Champions Trophy where the leading hockey teams will have to be faced? How will they stop Australian forwards in Commonwealth Games and India, South Korea, and Malaysia in Asian Games?” he said. “PHF has changed the team management and players after each debacle but the problems remain there,” he added.