Pakistan hockey team on Tuesday returned home from India through Wagah border after clinching silver at the Champions Trophy after 16 years. PHF president Akhtar Rasool Chaudhry, general secretary Rana Mujahid Ali and former hockey players received the players. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had planned a reception programme for the national hockey team at the Wagah border but due to Peshawar tragedy, the reception plan was postponed.
It may be noted that the Greenshirts had not faced a European side for 18 months, but reached the final after 16 years, having last done so in 1998 in Lahore. National hockey team coach Shahnaz Sheikh told media that he is satisfied with the performance of boys in the event. "Had our two boys were not banned in the final against Germany, the result could be different," he said, adding: "Playing final of Champions Trophy was great achievement." He added that winning against India (in the semi-final) makes it even more special.
He said the best thing was that "we adopted our old style of play, which is attacking hockey and our new plan worked well against India." Shahnaz Sheikh said, although the team lost to Germany in the final, the players proved their talent by beating the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and India in the semi-finals on their archrivals' home ground. Hockey team Captain Mohammad Imran said boys showed good performance and finished second in the event. He said defeating India in their home town was big achievement.
He dedicated team performance to army. He also expressed sorrow over Peshawar tragedy and prayed for victims. Former hockey players praised the team's second-place finish at the tournament and hoped that the achievement is a step forward towards the revival of the national sport's lost glory. They said, "This team consists of junior players, who came under pressure in the group matches but recovered well in the knockout stages, which shows the team's future is bright."
Comments
Comments are closed.