The Pakistan Hockey Federation has set Asia Cup as its short term plan and place among the top four at international level. Talking to journalists here at the National Hockey Stadium, PHF President Qasim Zia sees one of the toughest semi-finals Pakistan junior team will be playing against Korea in Asia Unde-18 Cup in Singapore. Pakistan juniors with its unbeaten run have reached the semi-final of the event and will be facing Korea and the PHF president hopes that the team will get through this hurdle.
On the senior team’s performance, Qasim Zia said that the European tour was the part of the team’s training. “We are trying to achieve what the team missed in the past while preparing for big events and the tour will help the players to overcome the mistakes,” he added. He further stated that the team’s loss against France came due to the conditions in Dublin.
“Weather was quite cold and it was raining which made it difficult for the team to adjust to the conditions but I am hopeful they will play the final. I am not defending the team in fact it was the conditions that took its toll from the players,” he believed. He further stated that the blue turf will be laid at the National Hockey Stadium in a couple of months and he was very thankful to the Punjab government and chief minister for always being there in the time of need by providing financial support.
On the team’s selection of Olympics, he said the selection committee would make the decision by watching the performance of the seniors and juniors that who would be in the Olympics team. He further said that the PHF would be holding goal-keepers camp to find fresh and talented goal-keepers for advance training.
