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Pakistan to take on India in Azlan Shah hockey today
Ipoh (Malaysia)—Buoyed by back-to-back wins over
Canada and Belgium, a resurgent India will take on the
unbeaten-as-yet arch-rival Pakistan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Hockey tournament, here today.
The much-anticipated match is crucial for India as a win will boost
its chances of a respectable finish in the event, while for Pakistan
another victory would ensure a majestic passage to the final.
Pakistan, under the new coach Naveed Alam, has been in excellent
form here ab intio, winning three while drawing against Argentina
3-3.
Their forward line looks formidable having scored 14 goals
in just four matches, making it a phenomenal performance for a side
that finished sixth here last year.
However, Indian coach Ajay Kumar Bansal is unperturbed by the
Pakistanis’ remarkable run and exuded confidence of an Indian win
tomorrow.
“We have to win tomorrow. If we have to go anywhere near a medal,
this win is a must and my boys are aware of this,” he said.
“I think we will be able to put it across Pakistan”, he added.
Bansal felt with both Sandeep Singh and Diwakar Ram in good form,
the Indians have a real chance of ending Pakistan’s unbeaten run.
“There is no reason why they cannot be successful tomorrow also?” he
said. Pakistan coach Alam is, however, cautious in his appraisal.
“We will look at the contest beyond the results. Our aim is to
showcase the game for which we both nations are known for,” he said.
The Indian coach, meanwhile, is busy finding the chinks in
Pakistan’s armoury.
“Their wingers are experienced, midfielder Saqlain is going great
guns. However, we will not mark individuals instead we would deploy
zonal marking because Pakistan’s whole forward line is good
including Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt and others.
“But I will tell you one thing. Their scoring abilities are not
taxing my mind. We are looking at the game in totality, how to
control the game and play for winning,” he elaborated.
Alam, on the other hand, said his side was motivated and attacking
game was its strength.
“See, we always play emotionally and tomorrow won’t be anything
different. It will be a match of nerves, whoever controls it will be
the winner,” he explained.
“If we go for an open game, there will be lot of goals in the match.
If India prefers a compact game, there won’t be many goals. We have
studied India’s game. They are good at penalty corners, and we have
our strategy to counter it,” Alam reasoned.
India and Pakistan did not face each other last year as they were in
different pools. In the 2006 edition, Ignace Tirkey led Indian team
had lost the match against traditional rivals narrowly 2-3.—Agencies
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