“Hockey has become faster these days, so players will have to stay alert,” says former captain
Pakistan hockey legend and national team chief selector Samiullah Khan has advised the national team to avoid conceding penalty corners ahead of their crucial World Cup match against India.
Speaking in an interview with PTV Sports, Olympian Samiullah Khan said he had observed that the Pakistan team’s clearances inside the defensive circle had not been good and that the players needed to focus on improving them.
He stressed that Pakistan must concede as few penalty corners as possible.
Samiullah said the forward line should maintain attacks from both sides, switching between the right and left flanks. “The defence of teams around the world is very strong. Hockey has become faster these days, so players will have to remain alert,” he said.
Pakistan need a victory against India in the crucial Pool D World Cup encounter to keep their hopes of reaching the next stage alive, while the result is also highly important for India’s qualification hopes.
Samiullah said that the rise of India is a direct result of sustained planning and better investment on players, a factor he believes is currently lacking in the Pakistani federation’s long-term vision.
Pakistan drew their previous match against Wales 3-3.
The high-voltage World Cup clash between Pakistan and India is scheduled for August 19.
