Pakistan set sights on Cup

20/03/2003

PAKISTAN coach Shahnaz Sheikh has set his sights on winning the Azlan Shah
Cup and lift the team's morale after a disastrous 2002 campaign.
Pakistan failed to clinch a single podium finish last year, and even
lost to Malaysia in the Busan Asian Games bronze medal playoff.
"I coached the 1999 team which won the Azlan Shah Cup gold for the first
time since its inception in 1983, and with the players that I have with me
today, I am confident we will be able to lift the title again this year,"
said Shahnaz after his team beat Malaysia 5-3 and 4-1 to take a winning 2-
0 lead in a three-Test series. The third match is scheduled for today at
the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.
Pakistan have won the title twice (1999 and 2000) and finished fourth in
the last edition in 2001. The 2002 edition was not held because Malaysia
were hosting the Kuala Lumpur World Cup.
The Pakistanis played their worst hockey lasy year and were beaten by
New Zealand 7-1 in the Manchester Commonwelath Games and then by Malaysia
(4-2 on penalties) at the Busan Asian Games.
"We had a very miserable year (last year) and that is why I am looking
forward to lifting the Azlan Shah Cup title and give the team a boost in
their preparation for the Champions Trophy and the Athens 2004 Olympics,"
said Shahnaz.
The Pakistan forwards did not look deadly in the two Test matches
against Malaysia, but goal scorers Sohail Abbas and Kashif Jawad, looked
very much at home in Malaysia after playing one season with Bank Simpanan
Nasional in the Malaysia Hockey League last year.
Sohail, still very deadly with his penalty corner flicks, scored three
goals while Kashif scored four. The other goals came from skipper Nadeem
Mohamed and Aqeel Khan.
"We tried out all our reserves in the two Test matches and they played
very well. In the first Test, we played badly in the first half because
they were still settling down after long hours of travelling. But in the
second, the boys had a good time and enjoyed themselves. I am confident
that if they continue like this, we will lift the title," said Shahnaz.
Pakistan open accounts against New Zealand on Saturday, and it will be
the indicator if the Pakistanis can achieve their target.
(END)