Pakistan team picture after landing in the Netherland. Photo: PHF
KARACHI:
Former Olympian and 1994 World Cup gold medallist Rahim Khan is not optimistic about Pakistan making a major impact at the FIH Hockey World Cup, warning that the team has not had the preparation required to challenge the leading sides.
“I am not quite hopeful about any major success as the team has not prepared the way it should have,” Rahim told The Express Tribune in a detailed interaction on Monday.
Pakistan, he said, should have played a stronger opposition instead of relying on a series against South Korea ahead of the global event.
“Instead of playing a series against a weaker opposition like South Korea, we needed a series against a tough side before going to the World Cup,” said Rahim, a former right-in.
He also questioned the limited time available to the foreign coaching staff to work with the national side.
“The foreign coaching staff also did not get enough time with the team. You need different strategies against different oppositions and that requires a lot of homework. But now, with the global event just four days away, we can only pray for the team,” he said.
Despite his concerns, Rahim believes the coaching staff could still make a difference if they are able to provide the players with clear tactical solutions.
“If the coaches are able to advise the team on how to break the oppositions’ defence and manage attacks, it may produce something encouraging,” he said.
Rahim believes Pakistan should target a victory against Wales, while acknowledging the difficulty of their other group matches.
“I think we should beat Wales. But India are a tough side on paper and England are too mature to beat,” he said.
He also pointed to Pakistan’s defensive frailties, which were exposed during the recently concluded FIH Pro League.
“We have seen recently in the FIH Pro League that the team conceded too many goals. The fragile backline will face added pressure when you play at the World Cup,” Rahim said.
Pakistan have arrived in the Netherlands for their first World Cup appearance since 2018. The four-time champions will compete in a challenging Group D alongside India, England and Wales at the tournament.
The Green-shirts will open their campaign against England on August 15, followed by matches against India and Wales on August 17 and August 19, respectively. England and India defeated Pakistan twice each in the recent Pro League campaign, while Pakistan finished the competition without a win.
Pakistan secured their place in the World Cup by finishing runners-up in the qualifying event in Egypt earlier this year.
Dutchman Bob Johan Veldhof will coach the side, assisted by Great Britain’s Christopher John Bowen and Adnan Zakir.
With defensive organisation, goalkeeping and penalty-corner execution among the team’s key concerns, Pakistan will need a significant improvement to compete with the stronger sides and keep their hopes of progressing alive.
