Was expecting better show from India, says Pakistan’s Rehan Butt

Reet Oberoi

Pakistan striker Rehan Butt wasn’t sure about his participation in the London Olympic Games. Part of the controversial World Series Hockey, the 31-year had declared himself fit for the quadrennial event, but the Pakistan Hockey Federation was reluctant to pick him.

With India banning all its WSH stars, Pakistan followed suit. Some last minute changes and hefty fines on the players saw Pakistan include their WSH rebels – Butt, Waseem Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi — and the team are on a roll.

Their win over South Africa put them into contention for the semi-finals and Rehan says the team work was the reason behind it. Veteran Waseem Ahmad struck the all important winner in the 9-goals match.

“We are a team that see a lot of up and down. We had finished last in the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi, and became the Asian Games champions eight months later.

“But right now at the Olympic Games, it is a perfect mix. We have players like (captain) Sohail Abbas, Waseem and Shakeel, who are so important for us. The team is doing very well, and we are looking ahead to the upcoming matches,” Butt told this website.

Rehan, who in the past has had stupendous success against India, said he was surprised to see the Men in Blue fare so poorly. “I was expecting a lot more especially in the manner India had qualified for the Olympics. The players are very talented and I consider them a good team.

“Even during the World Series Hockey, I came across a lot of players, who are very talented. Perhaps, they have been unable to work as a unit in London,” he said.

At the Athletes’ Village, Rehan has for company younger brother Imran, a goalkeeper, who was picked for the squad of 18, but could not make it to the final 16.

“He is still young, and hopefully the future goalkeeper for Pakistan. He was very keen to play, but is sad to watch the action from the sidelines.

“But I believe he has learnt a lot in these few days, staying with the Olympians and learning about what pressure is at this stage. He has a bright future and I will keep guiding him,” said the elder brother.