LAHORE – Pakistan Football Federation’s president Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has asked the national team to go an extra mile to achieve glory for the country.
“Go extra mile to achieve the target. If Pakistan can outpace India in overall soccer gold medal tally of South Asian Games and Pakistan turned the tide in sensational way in both legs against Singapore in same Olympics Qualifiers four years ago, why not the present team,” he said while briefing Thai-bound Pakistan team here at the Football House.
Later addressing the media, he said: “There is a also psychological factor. I hope the coaching staff will go all out to bring a winning, aggressive mindset in the boys.” Pakistan football team left for Bangkok on Sunday night to undertake fifth visit of Thailand where they will play three warm up matches and U-23 international friendly during two-week Camp from 7-20 February.
“The basic purpose of our tour to Thailand is to groom the players so that they learn more things, play on excellent pitches and in excellent environment. The more our players play there the more they will learn. It may be recalled that we won the SA Games gold in Islamabad seven years ago after Thailand training tour,” he added.
Goal keepers Naiman Khan (Agrupacion Deportiva Pablo Iglesias Rivas, Madrid), Muzammil Hussain (WAPDA) and central defender Muhammad Haji (PIA) were ruled out due to injuries. Haji’s exit will be a great loss as he also played like a hero when Zahid Hameed-led Pakistan eliminated Singapore in previous edition. Having been named MVP of Pakistan Premier League 2010, Haji is an experienced player and was expected to serve as the lynchpin of deep defence.
Faisal added that PFF was going all out to give international exposure to team at home and abroad and for that, 2011 will be fundamental to improve in terms of technique, tactics and football culture in the country.
