Pakistan falters again

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[asrar737]

I wonder why did they go to the olympics???

[asrar737]

They failed to reach another big semi final. Last time was in Sydney 2000. And in world cup, they have failed since 1994. 1998, 2002 and 2006 were all gross failure.

I dont think they will be playing at Delhi in 2010 and in London 2012.

[asrar737]

 

[RehanButt]

I'll be honest to you. Things indeed look very bleak right now. I think a big revamp is on its way. Unless the PHF isn't rid of crooks and wannabe professionals expect more misery. Unless the selection committee isn't transparent expect the same results. On a different note, Pakistan should also target other sports. It's pathetic that Pakistan has only focused on cricket and hockey sports for the past decades. With a nation of 170 million people I'm sure there are opportunities in many other sports. Hockey and cricket aren't the end of the world. During Olympics we only have hockey to rely on for medals.

PS. By the way, by loosing at the Olympics Pakistan have again failed to qualify for the next CT.

[geriverstik50]

I honestly don't think that Pakistan are as bad as you make out. Their matches with Australia, Holland and GB were competitive. There are some issues of "style" but none that a revised coaching structure won't fix relatively quickly because you do still have a pool of extraordinarily talented players.

[asrar737]

PS. By the way, by loosing at the Olympics Pakistan have again failed to qualify for the next CT.

Yes they are out of CT now. They will have to play Champions Challenge now!!!

[asrar737]

I honestly don't think that Pakistan are as bad as you make out. Their matches with Australia, Holland and GB were competitive. There are some issues of "style" but none that a revised coaching structure won't fix relatively quickly because you do still have a pool of extraordinarily talented players.

Talented players??? Even we have not won any aisan tilte since long. Koreans and Japanese make a mockery of us.

[asrar737]

Even China is a major threat to us.

[RehanButt]

We've to respect every opponent on the field. No opponent is easy and that's the way it should be. My concern however is totally different. It's the system which is dysfunctional. However strange this may sound, I think that it's an achievement the way Pakistan hockey team has been able to perform in the current set-up for the past years. We should be glad that despite such a corrupt and biased system the hockey team has managed to qualify for the Olympics and even win a few matches. In our emotions and passion we sometimes say things that are a bit exaggerated and unnecessary, but understandable from a supporters point of view. I want the system to be transparent. The system needs to be run by capable and honest people that are worthy of being in the driving seat. From top to bottom, people with hockey knowledge that are eager to win. Once that happens half of the problems will be solved. The top 5 teams in the world have a proper solid structure in place. Pakistan have lagged behind in this regard. As far as talent goes, what's the worth of an unpolished diamond? The diamonds can only be properly polished and shine if the system allows it to. When Oltmans was Pakistan's coach he faced similar problems of politics and corrupt practices within PHF. He made no secret about it and voluntarily stepped out. It's time to clean up the mess and reorganize the structure for the sake of survival of hockey in Pakistan.

[asrar737]

I agree.

[asrar737]

On a different note, Pakistan should also target other sports. It's pathetic that Pakistan has only focused on cricket and hockey sports for the past decades. With a nation of 170 million people I'm sure there are opportunities in many other sports. Hockey and cricket aren't the end of the world. During Olympics we only have hockey to rely on for medals.

With the introduction of artifiical pitches, hockey has become the sport of rich nations. We will neve be able to catch up with the number of artificial turfs in the Netherlands and Australia.

Yes we should promote cheaper sports like boxing and wrestling and athletics too.

[RehanButt]

I guess a much awaited ending to a disappointing campaign. I was watching the Pakistani media yesterday and they were making mince meat out of the Pakistan Hockey Federation and the hockey team for not living up to the promised expectations. The boys and management will have a tough time on return I can assure everyone. One thing is for sure, such bad performances won't be tolerated any more. You either quit or perform is the new slogan. Expect many resignations and humiliations.

Pakistan hockey team go down to New Zealand in Beijing Olympics

Updated at: 1150 PST, Thursday, August 21, 2008 
BEIJING: Pakistan's disappointing hockey campaign at the Beijing Games finally came to an end when they were defeated 4-2 against New Zealand to be placed at number 8th today.

This was Pakistans first ever loss to the Kiwis in the Olympics.

Earlier they also lost to Great Britain in the Olympics for the first time in 56 years.
Pakistan only managed to score two goals as New Zealand trounced the green shirts with utmost ease.

Lack of fitness and flair was eminent on the field as the kiwis tore through the Pakistani defense time and again scoring 4 goals.

Total humiliation was saved as Rehan Butt scored a late second half goal to grab some salvation for his team.

They finished 8th in the 12 team competition and have also failed to qualify for the next Champions Trophy.

Source: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=52762

PS. The head of the PHF has been proven wrong. The exclusion of Waseem Ahmed and Sohail Abbas due to a row between the players and Mir Zafarullah Jamali has cost Pakistan dearly.

[RehanButt]

Meanwhile, this is how much focus hockey is getting in Pakistan nowadays.

Former Olympians deplore Electronic Media's indifference to Olympic hockey

LAHORE: Former Olympic hockey players have deplored the indifference shown by the Electronic Media for not giving live coverage to the all important Olympic hockey match between Pakistan and Australia at Beijing on Friday .
"It was very sad not to live telecast the crunch match between Pakistan and Australia when the whole nation was riveted to their TV sets, "intoned former Olympian Rana Mujahid, a bonze medalist of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, "It was a do or die encounter for the Pakistan team and we all wanted to see live and not a repeat telecast when the news of Pakistan's defeat had already scotched all over the country.Lamentable, albeit it was since the channels showing the Olympics had prefered to screen ladies' football and tennis instead of hockey."

The former Olympian further asked, "How hockey can be promoted if such an attitude will be adopted by our media? It would have been more productive had these channels telecast this crucial match live."
Former Olympian Muhammad Akhlaq, also a bronze medalist at 1992 Barcelona Olympics, regretted that Pakistan-Australia clash was not given its importance which it deserved by the Electronic Media. "The younger generation was looking forwards to this
match since they had the opportunity to learn a lot but in all candidness our Electronic media let us down, "said the former Olympian.

Source: http://www.phf.com.pk/

[RehanButt]

Some more spanking 

Players, team management should accept failure: Bajwa

BEIJING, Aug 18: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Asif Bajwa said here on Monday that besides players the team management should also take the blame for Pakistan’s failure to qualify for the Olympic hockey semi-finals.
Bajwa said in an interview while recording his reaction on national team’s failure that there was a need to revive Pakistan hockey on emergency basis.

“I am absolutely disappointed with the performance of Pakistan team. They failed to deliver in any department of the game,” he said.

“The side was just a bunch of individuals and they badly failed to play as a team. This was the main reason for their downfall,” he added and blamed senior players Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi, Adnan Maqsood, Mohammad Saqlain and Salman Akbar, all failing to come up to the mark.

“They all are experienced players but failed to impress despite playing their second Olympics,” he said adding that when seniors were not performing and scoring goals what could the juniors do.

Bajwa pointed out that it was the ability to score goals which mattered and not the speed, dribbling or individual excellence.
“Individual excellence is nothing in a team game. The PHF fully facilitated the players but the end result was disappointing,” former Olympian observed who took charge of the PHF secretaryship in June.

He emphasised that it was the time for a new vision, vigour and complete overhauling of hockey structure to achieve new objectives.

He said he would personally be looking for a fresh approach and new ideas in hockey. Bajwa said he completely favoured the idea of bringing a foreign coach but he would discuss the matter with PHF office-bearers and experts first.

“We will go back and review our performance in the Olympics and try to figure out where we made mistakes,” he said.
The secretary said he thought that Pakistan never recovered from the bad start after losing against Great Britain.

Source: http://www.phf.com.pk

@Asrar: What do you think of Asif Bajwa?

[Magpie]

John, what is your post saying about Pakistan faltering again?