LAHORE: While accepting responsibility for the national squad’s failure in the recently concluded Asia Cup, president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Qasim Zia on Wednesday said he would think about his future after heading the PHF Executive Board meeting on Sept 11.
“If any critic asks what facilities our players missed during their preparations [for the Asia Cup], I would welcome the query. In fact, the PHF arranged every possible facility for them. Still, being the PHF president, I equally share the responsibility for the defeat in the Asia Cup,” Qasim said while talking to Dawn.
“The Executive Board meeting will review the performance of the entire national team in the Asia Cup and after listening to the officials of the team management, a consensus [on future line of action] will be developed and then I will be in a position to decide about my future,” added Qasim, widely tipped to quit his PHF post in the backdrop of Pakistan’s flop at the Asia Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.
The Mohammad Imran-led green-shirts, after losing the Asia Cup semi-final to defending champions South Korea (1-2), who went on to retain the continental title, also failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup to be held in the Netherlands.
Pakistan then overpowered Malaysia 3-1 in the third-place play-offto claim bronze medal.
Qasim also tried to defend the team’s show in Ipoh.
Our team played well in all departments. They were showing a touch of improvement in their performance. But frankly speaking, lady luck was not on our side.
“Like the whole nation, we are also disappointed over the Ipoh failure, but I want to emphasise that our team played impressively and only one match which we lost by a narrow margin of one goal changed the entire scenario,” he regretted.
“We defeated Malaysia twice [in the Asia Cup], and also won against Japan and Chinese Taipei convincingly. We conceded just four goals [in the whole event], out of which three came through penalty-corners and only one through field effort; all this shows the strength of our defence line,” the PHF chief remarked.
Qasim was all praise for newly inducted coach Tahir Zaman, saying: “Tahir’s coaching techniques made the difference in our players’ game. Unfortunately, he could get only one month with the national team before the Asia Cup.”
The PHF president admitted that by missing a relatively easier chance to qualify for the World Cup earlier in the World Hockey League (WHL) the pressure of must-win situation (to make the World Cup) in the Asia Cup was tough to handle. “But even then the boys fought well in Ipoh to defy that pressure.”
He also hailed the performance of veteran goalkeeper Salman Akbar, underlining his agile work under the bar.
Salman was inducted into the Ipoh-bound squad at the 11th hour after almost three years in wilderness as head coach Akhtar Rasool and Tahir were not satisfied with the performance of two other goalkeepers — Imran Shah and Imran Butt — during these three years.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team returned to Lahore from Ipoh late on Tuesday night.
Talking to reporters, PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said he had no intention to resign, endorsing Qasim’s views that the team played well throughout the Asia Cup.
“In the semi-final against South Korea, we had most of the ball possession; our players launched several attacks against the rivals but unfortunately we failed to capitalise on those chances in the circle,” Akhtar stated.
Meanwhile, the 25th meeting of the PHF Executive Board will be held on Sept 11 at the National Hockey Stadium, in which the performance of the national team will be reviewed and remedial measures will be discussed. The Executive Board will also discuss the upcoming PHF elections, due in December.
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