Sohail does not believe in one-man show

01 Dec, 2004

World's ace penalty corner shooter, Sohail Abbas on Tuesday said he does not believe in one-man show and one player cannot lead the side to a title in a major tournament. "It is always the collective team efforts and the individual hard work of players which counts to the performance of a team and lead it to glory", he said here on Tuesday.
Sohail is the top scorer of present day hockey with 268 goals surpassing Dutch Paul Litjens record of 267 goals.
Sohail knows he is under a heavy load of pressure when stars in the Champions Trophy and fellow colleagues and people are expecting a lot from him.
"Such kind of high expectations always put pressure on me and I think it is not fair to expect prime form and bulk of goals from me in every tournament", said the 28-year-old penalty corner expert who has plans to retire after the December 4-12 Champions Trophy.
He said he feel delighted while seeing that Champions Trophy is finally taking place in Pakistan in Lahore that is the hub of the hockey activities.
"Playing at Lahore is always a memorable feeling and a big joy which can be doubled if we win and in this victory I play any role", he said.
When asked about Pakistan's chances in the tournament, the full back known for his fearsome push, sounded upbeat and said, "We have a fair chance toregain the trophy, we have been playing competitive non-stop hockey for almost four to five months and all the players are in good form and they can deliver the goods."
Answering a question, he said, definitely he would review his earlier plans of calling it a day after the Champions Trophy.
"I think it is not the right time to think about retirement, the most immediate task is to concentrate on how to become a vital part of the team during the Champions Trophy and to support the side in a way to win the title", he added.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and a number of Olympians urged the gifted shooter to postpone his retirement plans as he can serve the game for few more years being a fit player.
"I know this aspect, but I want to quit the game when I am at peak, I do not want to stick around to have disgraceful exit", he said.
He termed the Champions Trophy "tough" and said it is more tough than the Olympics or World Cup as worlds top six teams are playing in it.

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