KARACHI, Dec 1 (APP): Big test is awaiting Pakistan team in the 33rd Hockey Champions Trophy which opens in Auckland (New Zealand), Olympian Ayaz Mahmood said on Wednesday. “This will be a biggest challenge for Pakistan team against top team and will set the trend what lies ahead of the them,” he told APP in an interview here.
Pakistan will meet Great Britain in their opening match in eight team contest on Saturday.
“It will be a tough event for Pakistan in presence of Britain, Spain and Australia in their group,” he said.
“Pakistan did a great job by beating Australia in the tri-nation contest. However we must not forget we lost the league game to Australia 2-8 margin.
Mid-fielder Ayaz Mahmood, who was member of Pakistan team which won the gold medal in 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angles (USA) said though Pakistan HockeyFederation (PHF) may be thinking to see the team at the rostrum as it was showingupward trend.
“But Pakistan has slipped to 9th from their previous 7th ranking of International Hockey Federation ranking which was a decline,” he said.
He said despite change of the format, Champions Trophy is very tough and difficult event and Pakistan’s pool is also very difficult.
“All depends on the opening game. If we beat Britain in the opener it definitely will be good build-up for the team. Otherwise it will be daunting task for the team for a place in semifinals,” he added.
He said contribution of senior players like Shakeel Abbasi at upfront, Waseem Ahmed in the midfield half back and Sohail Abbas and goalie Salman Akbar at the back will be very crucial.
“If seniors did the good they can inspire the youngsters,” Ayaz Mahmood said.
“Personally I would love to see Pakistan team doing well in Auckland but at the same time we got to be realistic,” he concluded.
“It will be a tough event for Pakistan in presence of Britain, Spain and Australia in their group,” he said.
“Pakistan did a great job by beating Australia in the tri-nation contest. However we must not forget we lost the league game to Australia 2-8 margin.
Mid-fielder Ayaz Mahmood, who was member of Pakistan team which won the gold medal in 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angles (USA) said though Pakistan HockeyFederation (PHF) may be thinking to see the team at the rostrum as it was showingupward trend.
“But Pakistan has slipped to 9th from their previous 7th ranking of International Hockey Federation ranking which was a decline,” he said.
He said despite change of the format, Champions Trophy is very tough and difficult event and Pakistan’s pool is also very difficult.
“All depends on the opening game. If we beat Britain in the opener it definitely will be good build-up for the team. Otherwise it will be daunting task for the team for a place in semifinals,” he added.
He said contribution of senior players like Shakeel Abbasi at upfront, Waseem Ahmed in the midfield half back and Sohail Abbas and goalie Salman Akbar at the back will be very crucial.
“If seniors did the good they can inspire the youngsters,” Ayaz Mahmood said.
“Personally I would love to see Pakistan team doing well in Auckland but at the same time we got to be realistic,” he concluded.
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