Pak coach Kamran: “Its not correct to hype up India-Pak matches”

Former ace forward Kamran Ashraff shoulders the responsibility of leading Under-18 boys in the ongoing fourth Sub-Jr Asian Championship in Dhaka. His team have won all the three matches to majestically enter the semis, where it will meet traditional sporting foe India. Kamran speaks to www.stick2hockey.com on his team, prospects, and vision for Pakistan hockey.

“We played three matches, and I found we improved each match. If we continue, we hope to have a good match against India too”.

On asked why his team goes for too many goals against weak teams he has to say this: It was part of our game plan to score as many goals as possible so that players get confidence. When you score field goal you get confidence, it will reflect on pressure games. More goals was our game plan, am happy the team delivered.

On Pakistan team not scoring through penalty corners, he said at the moment the team is focussing on field goals.

“Its our traditional game, and I subscribe to it. However, we scored penalty corners when we wanted it. Yes, not many of them.”

Everyone expected India-Pak clash for the crown, but they will bemeeting in the semis. On this he said: “We obviously thought we will play India in the final. We have to any case play either in the semis or the final. It has a match earlier. Whatever, its big match, I hope both teams play good hockey”.

Every player in my team will face off India for the first time. It will be a pressure game, no doubt about it. Pressure may be, but I told my boys its not war as media or somebody else would describe, for players it’s a game, play the way used to play, normal game.

This trend of treating India-Pak match as war and something like this is not good for our collective hockey. The trend has to change, else we wont be able to improve globally.

“Its wrong to hype up our matches. Our target is not each other, but improving ranks globally. And try to get back our identity. Everyone knows we are what we are at Asia level. But the vision is long term, to become a force to reckon with globally.

On asked whether players in his team understand your vision, and will consider tomorrow’s semifinal match as a normal game, he said: “Since I took over coaching, I have been telling the boys the simple thing, don’t take pressure for any match, be it Dutch or India, whatever. The colts here are new, they will certainly take pressure, but my effort will be see they don’t.

We expected India will be a good side, balanced one. I found the same here. Yes they lost to Bangladesh, it doesn’t mean they don’t have capacity to challenge any other team. Therefore we consider India top team and accordingly we will go all out.

On asked about the impact a success in Dhaka will have on Pakistan hockey, the ace forward said: “It will be a big boost for Pakistan hockey. As we missed out some major international tournament, there is a lack of interest for hockey among kids”.

On Uri effect, and deteriorating Indo-Pak political situation, he was categorical that politics should not reflect on sports. ” I never gave importance to political situation even when played top level hockey. I will hold the same even now. Its match, that’s all. Go and do what is planned and the result of the match is up to the willing of the Almighty”.