Karchi (Bernama) -- Following a dismal performance at the Beijing Olympics last year, Pakistan has begun its campaign for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in April, putting together a new mix of players.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) selection committee has identified 35 players who completed their first phase -- 10-day training camp -- recently. The second phase would be held in Karachi or Lahore to acclimatise with the Malaysian weather.
"By March-end, we will finalise the team for Kuala Lumpur...we are inducting some junior team players but most of them will be from the Olympic squad.
"This tournament will be our pre-Asia Cup preparation in Dubai (in May) and we want to be in the finals.
"We have talented players and are optimistic this time," PHF chief selector Hassan Sardar told Bernama today.
Three-time world champions Pakistan, which once reigned over world hockey, along with arch rivals India, finished a miserable fourth in last year's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Ipoh, where Argentina lifted the trophy after defeating India.
But the medal-hungry Pakistanis are likely to avenge their past losses this year, as they look forward to the Azlan Shah Cup and Asia Cup to redeem their past glory in field hockey, which is now mainly dominated by Europeans and Australia.
"We made some tactical mistakes in the Olympics and played poorly but we have sorted out our mistakes and want to bring the new team to a winning combination," said Hassan.
This year, only five foreign teams are expected to participate in the 18th edition of the tournament -- Argentina, India, Egypt, New Zealand and Pakistan.
The annual event will be held at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh from April 3-12.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) selection committee has identified 35 players who completed their first phase -- 10-day training camp -- recently. The second phase would be held in Karachi or Lahore to acclimatise with the Malaysian weather.
"By March-end, we will finalise the team for Kuala Lumpur...we are inducting some junior team players but most of them will be from the Olympic squad.
"This tournament will be our pre-Asia Cup preparation in Dubai (in May) and we want to be in the finals.
"We have talented players and are optimistic this time," PHF chief selector Hassan Sardar told Bernama today.
Three-time world champions Pakistan, which once reigned over world hockey, along with arch rivals India, finished a miserable fourth in last year's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Ipoh, where Argentina lifted the trophy after defeating India.
But the medal-hungry Pakistanis are likely to avenge their past losses this year, as they look forward to the Azlan Shah Cup and Asia Cup to redeem their past glory in field hockey, which is now mainly dominated by Europeans and Australia.
"We made some tactical mistakes in the Olympics and played poorly but we have sorted out our mistakes and want to bring the new team to a winning combination," said Hassan.
This year, only five foreign teams are expected to participate in the 18th edition of the tournament -- Argentina, India, Egypt, New Zealand and Pakistan.
The annual event will be held at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh from April 3-12.
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