Exciting final on the cards

As formidable Australia takes on resurgent Pakistan tomorrow in the Azlan Shah final, the hockey will be in for a grand treat.

If Australia is known for its precision in home work and field application, Pakistan will endevour to match that with abundant energy and will power.

What ignites one’s memory at this point is the contest between the same duo at the Delhi World Cup. Pak may have ended up woodspoonist, but it stretched the Aussies to their limit in the league. What broke the winning goal deadlock then was an extra-ordinary attempt by the Aussies. A scoop was sent across the D, from right of the circle to the left, it was trapped and sent to the centre of D, deflected for the goal, all in one-spilit moment. Its perhaps first time a scoop across the circle was taken, or permitted without being declared rising, and the goal however turned out to be the turning point for Australia which lost the opener to GB, but later recovered to win the Cup. The point here is, an extra-ordinary effort was needed to defeat Pak. Pak side here is vastly improved than one and half years ago in Delhi.

This is exactly reason, why grand feat await us on Sunday

“Yes, we are certainly sure, we will make a match of it. Not often does one get to play the final of Azlan Shah Cup, that too, second straight final for us after the Asian Games. Though we are preparing for the London Olympics, this is a good sign, we relish this. Having come all the way to final after struggling on the way, we will go all out to do what best we can”, said Rehan Butt, moments after winning the crucial Match against not-giving-up Malaysia today at the Stadium Azlan Shah.

Rehan views were nearly echoed by team’s gift of gab manager KM Junaid and captain Imran Mohd., and skillful and fanciful-looking Shakeel Abbasi. There are determined to make a match of it. “This ten days were very exciting, we had ups and downs. We beat India, to whom we have been losing for some time. We won narrowly against Malaysia, and our graph here is on ascend. Hopefully, we will sit tonight and work out a strategy so that our previous meet against Australia doesn’t reoccur”, said captain Imram Mohhd, who has been rock solid on the back in the tournament so far.

“We are a new side in the sense, we have a foreign coach, he brings new ideas, I am at centre-forward position is his idea. Whether I relish it or not, that is what coach wants, I will abide. The whole lot in the team also feels the same, we should contribute to the team, which we are all doing, getting results as well”, asserts Rehan.

Refusing to divulge what strategy they will adopt against the famed rivals, Rehan relies hopes on Dutch coach in charge of his team.

“This coach has nearly transformed our side, our thinking, and almost everything. From last in the World Cup last year to Asian Games gold, and now another final in short span of time. The coach knows how to use our strength, and we will go by what he says, Rehan pours his wisdom.

Australia are the only side not to lose a match here, having won all the matches handsomely except one that was a drawn tie with India.

Pakistan on the hand had a phoenix like rise, and surprised everyone ending up in the final.

When Pak lost to Australia badly, Dutchman Heul told exclusively to stickhockey.com that it is due to fourth match in five days, due to energy quotient or lack of it, rather than the potential of the team.

His words came to bear much wisdom as days went by and other matches staged. Pak showed enormous strategic acumen when it changed its gear completely from complacency to urgency in the second half to outwit and outplay India. Despite leading at half time, India had been humbled.

After that crucial India defeat, Pak team went from strength to strength.

Australia, well-oiled machine, has more of inexperienced players than any other team here in Ipoh. Almost every player has got their quota of time on the turf. Yesterday’s man of the match Swan, for instant, was rested today for the New Zealand match, and despite missing the great all-arounder, the side could build three quick goals in the first quarter against their Oceania neighbour on the penultimate day.

The Australian side’s inexperience really shows up, hard tackle getting them more cards than other teams, penalty corner conversion drill going hayware. Australia under Ric Charlesworth continues to possess this weakness.

Pakistan on the other has shown improvement in all departments, but still relies on Sohail for penalty corner conversion. He has not been a match winner as he used to be so in the past. However, emergence of Imran Md must be a great news for the management. But will the think tank try out others, but will rely on Sohail, the most experienced of players here, is one aspect that will make or mar the fortune for the Asian superpower.

With both sides haing been successful in bringing their strength to the fore, the contest tomorrow is expected to be exciting. Pakistan haven’t reached the Azlan final for many many years, and this team will give that extra shot tomorrow.

Australia’s run under Ric Charlie has been amazing, therefore it remains to be seen the success story for them will stagnate here, or subdue the rival to the extent of Delhi CWG final, is a million dollar question.

What is sure in the vortex of uncertainites is hockey will be in a grand treat on Sunday.