Green-shirts seek vengeance against Japan

MUSCAT: Pakistan seek to reverse the result of the last encounter against Japan that cost them a place in the final of the Asian Games in Jakarta.

“We’ve been waiting for a chance to play against Japan and reverse the result of our encounter in the Asian Games,” Pakistan captain Muhammad Rizwan told reporters ahead of the match against Japan on Wednesday (today) in the Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat.

Japan shocked Pakistan in the semi-finals of the Asian Games and went on to win their first gold medal with another upset victory over Malaysia in September.“We lost to Japan in the Asian Games semi-finals where we took them lightly. Our players now have a lot to prove,” said Rizwan.

Pakistan got into their rhythm ahead of the Japan match with an 8-1 victory over hosts Oman on Monday night. In the previous fixture, Pakistan were beaten 3-1 by India, a game in which Rizwan said his team could have done much better. “We could have played a lot better than we did against India. When we reviewed the match on video, I could not believe we lost in that manner because we had opportunities to score,” said Rizwan.

“I want to play India again in this tournament. We want to give them a tougher game,” said Rizwan, aware that the format of the six-nation Trophy could pit them against India again in the knock-out rounds.

Top four teams in the preliminary league will advance to the semi-finals. India and Malaysia have already secured their spots in the semi-finals with three successive wins. Rizwan said this tournament is important for the teams bound for next month’s World Cup — Pakistan, India and Malaysia. “In view of the World Cup coming up next month, a good show here will lift the team’s morale,” he said.

Pakistan manager Hasan Sardar said his players knew the significance of this tournament. “This tournament is like a pre-World Cup competition, which is providing us valuable match practice. I’m glad to see our forwards get into their rhythm,” said Sardar.

“Our penalty corner specialists are also working well,” he said after five penalty corner conversions in Pakistan’s massive win over Oman.