Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain on Wednesday admitted that India are forward of his aspect by way of preparations however promised to shock the hosts within the Asian Champions Trophy hockey match-up between the arch-rivals on August 9.
“Undoubtedly, preparation-wise India is forward because it has been taking part in of late and is coming off a stint in Europe, whereas we have now arrived proper from our houses. It’s the identical even in cricket,” Saqlain mentioned throughout a media interplay.
“We wish to play extra matches towards India that may be useful for each side. Clearly, India is better off right here by way of health. However we additionally put together in the identical sizzling climate circumstances, and we are going to shock them after we meet.”
Pakistan haven’t performed any aggressive match this 12 months, having missed out on taking part within the FIH World Cup in India earlier this 12 months. Nonetheless, Saqlain feels that they’ve had sufficient preparations all these instances, particularly within the final three months.
“We have now been making ready for the final three months, and we have now centered on enhancing our construction. We play attacking hockey. Bodily, we could be lagging, however we’re primary by way of assault.”
Whereas many groups have expressed their apprehensions in regards to the scheduling of the ACT earlier than the all-important Olympic qualifier Asian Video games in Hangzhou, China, subsequent month, Saqlain branded this match as a “full-dress rehearsal” of the continental multi-sport occasion.
“I consider it is a full-dress rehearsal earlier than the Asian Video games. I credit score FIH for having accomplished so, as even if you happen to make errors on this competitors, you possibly can instantly rectify them earlier than a large occasion just like the Asian Video games,” mentioned Saqlain.
The Pakistan workforce is at the moment ranked sixteenth however Saqlain believes that it’s in a gradual means of enchancment and desires time to change into a significant powerhouse once more.
“Be it any sport, there’s a regular course of to make issues higher. You might want to have a transparent time-frame for it. From my standpoint, you want at the least 18 months for a workforce to be aggressive sufficient in Olympics or World Cup. And I hope Pakistan Hockey Federation helps us to the fullest,” he mentioned.
“We’re already a champion (within the ACT). We have now additionally received championships within the Olympics and the World Cup. Nonetheless, up to now, Pakistan has a bonus over India in hockey and cricket (in successful extra matches).
“So far as our low rating is worried, it’s primarily as a result of we didn’t take part within the Professional League. We’re even able to outplaying Australia. We do possess the abilities, however it is advisable make investments, particularly within the younger gamers.”
Saqlain was additionally supportive of the brand new penalty nook rule, saying it places Pakistan and India in an advantageous place.
“Within the new penalty nook rule, Pakistan and India have a bonus in comparison with the Europeans because the shot specialists and goalkeepers of the latter are bodily stronger than us. If the ball stops within the twenty third yard, there isn’t a variation. And we usually play nicely within the oblique gameplay.”
Captain Umar Bhutta mentioned whereas his gamers normally get to fulfill the Indians throughout such tournaments, social media has been a medium to attach with them.
“We have now not usually performed collectively an excessive amount of. I final met a number of the Indian gamers through the Commonwealth Video games and the final ACT. Additionally, with the social media being so vibrant, it’s not troublesome to contact one another (the Indian gamers),” he mentioned.
Talking about his function within the aspect, Bhutta instructed PTI: “There’s additional duty as a skipper. Additionally, because the workforce is kind of younger, I’ve to get the workforce collectively and encourage the gamers.
“So, hopefully, I can encourage them sufficient to carry out to the fullest.”
Requested if there was any additional strain on the aspect to qualify on to the 2024 Paris Olympics subsequent 12 months by successful gold within the Asian Video games, he replied within the unfavorable.
“I do not suppose so. If we do not qualify for the World Cup, after all, it is unhappy, since we lose out on taking part in matches, which in flip impacts our rankings.
“All we want to consider is acting on a match-by-match foundation. If we will carry out, we qualify for the Olympics and taking part in the matches there would permit us to higher our rankings and enhance the standard of our hockey.
“Even India received an Olympic medal after 40 years. It is a lengthy course of. So, hopefully, we will placed on a great present right here and in Asian Video games, and struggle for a medal in Paris subsequent 12 months,” he mentioned.
