Category: Hockey

KARACHI: The plan to modernize the Abdul Sattar Edhi International Hockey Stadium has been finalized as Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the Government of Sindh have awarded the contract for the construction to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).

According to the details, around 1.5 billion rupees will be spent on the rebuilding of the stadium, which will also include the state-of-the-art indoor gymnasiums and swimming pools.

The boys’ hostel and changing rooms for up to four teams are also part of the renovation plan. Whereas, seats will be installed in the enclosures for the first time.

On this occasion, the administrator of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Mohammad Junaid said that the county will be able to host major events after the up-gradation of the stadium.

“With the efforts of PHF President and Secretary, Sindh Government will now bear all the expenses for the renovation of the stadium,” Junaid said.

“Pakistan will then be able to host major tournaments and events as soon as the stadium completely rebuilds,” he concluded.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) called 24 players to a training camp to help them strengthen their skills ahead of the Asia Cup in 2022.

The PHF has announced to organize a training camp consisting of 24 players. The National Hockey Camp will be held from May 9 to June 2 at the National Hockey Stadium here.

The players are directed to report to the national team’s manager Olympian Khuwaja Junaid in the afternoon on May 09. Head coach Siegfried Aikman, alongside, assistant coaches Waseem Ahmed, Sameer Hussain, and Ajmal Khan, and goalkeeping coach Nadeem Lodhi will also attend a month-long training camp.

Probables

Abdullah Ishtiaq (Goalkeeper), Akmal Hussain (Goalkeeper), Muneeb-ur-Rehman (Goalkeeper), Mubashir Ali, Emad Shakeel Butt, Abu Bakar Mahmood, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Hammad Anjum, Arbaaz Ahmed, Rizwan Ali, Abdul Manan, Umar Bhatta, Rana Abdul Waheed, Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Salman, Roman Khan, Moin Shakeel, Ali Shan, Junaid Manzoor, Ejaz Ahmed, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Ahmed Nadeem, Noheez Zahid, and Rana Sohail Riaz.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Asia Cup 2022 will be played in Jakarta this year.

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BARCELONA: The 20-members squad of the Pakistan Hockey Team along with the coach Siegfried Aikman departed from here after the completion of the Europe Tour, here on Thursday.

Pakistan, who took on the Netherlands in two matches, Belgium in one, and Spain in two amid the Europe tour have flown back to the country after the conclusion of the tour.

In the last match of the Europe tour, the home side of Spain thrashed the green shirts by 5-3 to avenge the first match defeat in which Pakistan crushed the hosts 4-1.

Pakistan, who started the tour on a high following a thumping 5-3 victory over the Netherlands, could not keep up the momentum as the side lost the second match of the series 4-1.

The green shirts also remained unable to win their only encounter against Belgium, as the latter defeated Pakistan 5-1.

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BARCELONA: Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team sealed an astonishing 4-1 victory over the home side of Spain in the first match of the two-match series, here on Tuesday.

Pakistan started the two-match series on a high as the side secured a comprehensive victory over the better-ranked Spain.

The green shirts completely dominated the first half of the match as the side scored three goals, while the home side remained unable to net the ball once.

Rizwan scored the first goal for Pakistan in the first quarter of the game through a short corner. Ijaz Ali then scored the third field goal for Pakistan in the second quarter which resulted in Pakistan taking a three-goal lead over Spain.

The two teams remained involved in a hard-fought second half of the match with both scoring a goal each and the green shirts, in the end, claimed a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Spain. Roman made the fourth strike for the men in green.

It’s worth noting that the two teams will now face off in the second match of the series on May 4.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistani captain and the Olympic gold medalist Nasir Ali commented on Pakistan National Men’s Hockey team’s tour to Europe, saying it will benefit the team in the longer run.

Nasir reacted to the national hockey team’s Europe tour in a video statement, saying the tour provides a positive environment and players can gain valuable experience from it.

“The importance of the Europe Tour lies in the good environment it offers to the players, as well as also offers the vital experience of playing in such situations,” he said.

Nasir then referred to the fullback player Rizwan, who is performing brilliantly on the Europe tour, while also claiming that he will improve more after this tour.

“Rizwan, a fullback, is having a fantastic season, scoring five goals in three games. In addition, when he returns to the game after this tour, he will show more development and confidence in his abilities “Nasir asserted.

“Similarly, other players, especially juniors, will improve a lot from this tour and I would like to congratulate Pakistan Hockey Federation for organizing this important tour,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan played two matches against the Netherlands and a single match against Belgium so far. The green shirts have managed to win just one game on the ongoing tour thus far.

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BRUSSELS: Second-ranked Belgium Hockey Team secured a comprehensive victory over the 17th-ranked Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team by 4-1 in the only match between the two teams of the Europe Tour, here on Friday.

After the conclusion of a highly-competitive series against the Netherlands, the green shirts turned their attention towards Belgium to lock horns in the only match.

The better-ranked Belgium, however, outclassed the green shirts by the scores of 5-1.

In the first half, Pakistan could not net the ball once, in response to Belgium’s two. The green shirts then managed to cut the margin to 2-1 as Rizwan struck a goal in the third quarter.

Belgium, on the other hand, restored and also extended their lead as the side responded quickly with two goals in the same quarter.

Second-ranked Belgium then netted one in the final quarter to better their lead to 5-1. The green shirts, on the other hand, could not make their way back into the game despite a goal in the starting minutes of the third quarter and suffered a crushing defeat.

For Pakistan, Rizwan managed to score the only goal.

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AMSTERDAM: The head coach of the Netherlands men’s hockey team Jeroen Delmee has rubbished the reports of the Pakistan Hockey Team playing against the local clubs on the Europe Tour.

After a voice statement circulated by a former Olympian, claiming that the Dutch and Belgian teams have refused to play against Pakistan and the green shirts are playing against the local club teams. The Dutch head coach came forward to rubbish the former’s accusations.

In a video statement for the Pakistani fans, the head coach of the Dutch hockey team Delmee confirmed that the national team has so far played two matches against Pakistan and I can confirm that they played against the national team of Holland.

“Last Tuesday and yesterday we played two games against Pakistan with the national team. On Tuesday, we lost 5-3 against a very young and energetic Pakistan side,” he said.

“But fortunately, we were able to turn things around for the Wednesday game and we were able to beat Pakistan 4-1 with our national team. So if you might have any questions, I can confirm that they played against the national team of Holland,” he added.

Delmee then wished the green shirts well at the Asia Cup and hoped to see them compete in the World Cup again.

I wish Pakistan all the best in preparing and developing for Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and we hope to see them back to the World Cup,” he concluded.

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AMSTERDAM: The home team the Netherlands secured a comprehensive victory over Pakistan by 4-1 in the second match of the Europe Tour, here on Wednesday.

After suffering from a shock loss in the first match against Pakistan, the third-ranked Netherlands bounced back to claim a thumping 4-1 victory over the 17th-ranked green shirts.

The green shirts were off to a flying start as the side dominated the first quarter with 1-0. The opposition was quick to respond as the dutch levelled the scores at 1-1 in the first half.

The Netherlands fueled with momentum, scored one goal in each quarter of the second half and secured a convincing victory over Pakistan 4-1.

The green shirts, on the other hand, despite starting brilliantly; scoring a goal in the first quarter, remained unable to net another goal and suffered a crushing defeat.

With this victory, the Netherlands have managed to level the three-match series 1-1, with the third and final match scheduled tomorrow.

For Pakistan, Abdul Mannan managed to shoot the only goal.

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AMSTERDAM: Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team secured an astonishing 5-3 victory over the Netherlands in the first match of the Europe Tour, here on Tuesday.

Pakistan started the Europe tour on a high as the side secured a comprehensive victory over the better-ranked Netherlands.

The two teams remained involved in a hard-fought match with the Netherlands dominating the first half with 2-1.

Despite trailing by one goal, the green shirts made an exceptional comeback in the second half; scoring three goals in response to the Netherlands’ one to claim the victory by 5-3.

For Pakistan, Rizwan netted a goal thrice, while Mubashir and Aijaz scored one each.

The green shirts will lock horns with the Netherlands in the second match tomorrow. Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0.

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AMSTERDAM: The 20-members squad of the Pakistan Hockey Team has landed here for their upcoming Europe tour, rolling into action from April 26.

Following their arrival here, the team will practice for three days before their first fixture of the tour against the home side Netherlands on April 26.

The head coach of the Pakistan hockey team, Siegfried Aikman, expressed his excitement on reaching with the team here for an important tour, saying it is an opportunity for us to compete with the best teams and analyse how the team grows.

“It is exciting for us to be here in Europe and to compete against the best and it will show how we grow and we can show what we want to achieve,” he said.

“So this is an amazing start for our campaign to do well at the Asia Cup and we also aim for the World Cup participation,” he added.

Aikman further revealed his plans to assess the players’ weaknesses and the urge to rectify them.

“I need to see how they develop, want to assess their weaknesses and when we go back to Lahore, we’ll work on them so that we are well prepared for the Asia Cup,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will take on the Netherlands in two matches, and will play one against Belgium, and three against Spain amid the upcoming Europe tour.

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