Sohai Abbas: “Even had won the Cup, it would not have made much difference”
Unable to hold on to the half time lead, Pakistan succumbed to Great Britain in the second half to lose the well-contested match 1-2 and thus has the humiliation of finishing last for the first time in the popular Azlan Shah Cup competition.
However, captain Sohail Abbas said that they came here to do their best and in the given circumstances they did so.
“we came here to do our best. Our team is full of new comers and all were given chance to play. Sometimes it so happens things do not go the way you like but I feel we have given our best. Even today, we held our nerves well, did not give much room for the British. Yes, we did mistake in the second half and it cost us. Any team can do mistakes, it so happened we did so in the last minutes to give away the matches.
On specifically asked whether it is a matter of concern that Pakistan, thrice winner of the title, is finishing at the bottom, he shot back:
“We came here to do our best, and we did. When we give our best we could have even won the Cup. Even that result would not have mattered because our objective is to give our best, results hardly mattered” .
Team manager cum coach Kwaja Junaid too felt the same.
“I am not at all disappointed. Certainly not. We have given chance to six junior players, who played continuously from Maleka (Junior Asia Cup) to here. Besides, five players who were otherwise sitting in the bench were given opportunity to play in these games. They really showed tremendous improvement.
Today the team played as per plan. We controlled the game. We did not allow our rival to dictate the terms.
On the other hand, my focus now will be how to manage energy levels and also to improve play inside the circle.
In the whole tournament, we had about 100 shots at goal, probably the maximum for any team here. Yes, we did not score, and we need more exposure, good temperament inside the circle.”
Pakistan will now move to Europe, and will play test matches in Holland, Germany and Spain.
Our programs are well fixed, we are moving in the right direction, said the unfazed former Olympians.