Lahore hosts major hockey clash after 24 years

[UN talkz]

LAHORE: Lahore will host an elite international hockey contest after a long gap of twenty-four years when a star-studded World XI side take on Pakistan’s U-18 team in the second tie of the two-match series at the National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

The World XI comfortably beat Pakistan U-18s 5-1 in the first match of the series staged at Karachi’s Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium on Friday night.

In 1994, Pakistan last hosted a grand international hockey event — the elite Champions Trophy — though little-known teams like China and Oman came to Pakistan afterwards.

China played a four-test hockey series in Pakistan some seven years ago and Oman’s U-18 team featured in a test series on Pakistan soil in 2016.

Now after a long time, a World XI outfit, comprising a galaxy of stars from top hockey nations, is touring Pakistan to help end the drought of international hockey in the country which has not been able not host any high-profile international hockey event for many years mainly owing to security concerns.

The World XI tour has been arranged by the Pakistan Hockey Federation to revive the game in which Pakistan has during the last 23 years struggled at international level, with no title in grasp, not even at Asian level.

“It is a good omen for our hockey that the World XI is playing in Pakistan. Convincing world renowned hockey players to come and play hockey in Pakistan is a big achievement of the PHF as we have been deprived of high-profile events due to security issue in our country,” said PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed while talking to APP on Saturday.

The World XI side contains players from Australia, Holland, Argentina, Spain, Germany and New Zealand and all the players are of top stature due to their standing in the game, underlined Shahbaz.

“The Word XI tour has its own significance in a number of ways. It will help us restore international hockey in Pakistan besides providing an ideal opportunity to our youngsters to play alongside the masters of the game,” said Shahbaz, himself one of the all-time celebrated centre-forwards of the game.

“The World XI tour will also help organise Pakistan hockey league in April this year in a professional way.”

Shahbaz added, “The World XI tour is vital for injecting new life into our dying hockey; it will restore the confidence of other hockey nations for touring Pakistan. Furthermore, this [World XI] series will offer the lovers of the game a great chance to watch big names of world hockey in action in their own backyard,” he added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1384197/lahore-all-set-to-host-major-hockey-clash-after-24-years

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan hockey team on Sunday twice came from behind to hold World XI to a 3-3 draw in the second and final match of the series at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore.

Having battered their inexperienced hosts 5-1 in the opening game in Karachi, the formidable World XI continued where they had left off, creating a plethora of opportunities in the opening half, although some uncharacteristic profligacy in front of the goal kept them from taking an early lead.

The opening goal finally arrived in the 28th minute off the stick of Roderick Weusthof as Pakistan goalkeeper Adil Rao's defence was breached for the first time in the game.

It didn't take long for the visitors to double their lead, with Nahuel Salis being the goalscorer this time as his angular shot in the 36th minute sneaked past Rao.

Having conceded their second, the Greenshirts suddenly came alive, opening their account just a minute later, thanks to a successful penalty converted by Rizwan Ali.

Pakistan were back on level terms in the 42nd minute when Adeel Latif's powerful hit took a deflection from the goalkeeper and sailed into the goal.

Both teams pushed hard to take the lead but it was World XI whose efforts bore fruit; Weusthof scored his second of the game in the 52nd minute.

But like before, the young Pakistan side responded again, with the equalising goal coming just two minutes from full-time. Having been thwarted in his first attempt at goal, Naveed Alam took a second shot and found the net this time.

Neither side was able to find another goal as the match ended 3-3 and the World XI side clinched the series 1-0.

Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, handed over the trophy to the winning captain Weusthof.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1384355/p...hrilling-3-3-draw-at-hockey-stadium-in-lahore

 

[Sean143]

Hockey legends find Pakistan ready for international contests

LAHORE: Former hockey legends said here on Sunday that they were delighted by the security and the facilities provided during their stay in Pakistan.

Addressing a ceremony hosted in their honour, Paul Litjens said that the game of hockey had changed a lot and that Pakistan would have to adopt new ideas and keep pace with the changes to regain their strength in world hockey.

He said that Pakistan had produced many great players such as Samiullah, Islahuddin, Akhtar Rasool and Shahnaz Sheikh.

Jan Bovelander said that his fondest memories belonged to Pakistan as Holland won the 1990 World Cup in Lahore.

He said Shahbaz Ahmed played the most significant role in the revival of international hockey in Pakistan. “All of us came here on the invitation of Shahbaz Ahmed, who informed us that all is well here in Pakistan. It is peaceful and the conditions are conducive for the revival of international matches,” he said.

He said that he had talked to Pakistan junior players and gave them some tips to improve their performance.

Spain’s Juan Escarre said that it was like a dream come true for him to be in Pakistan.

Germany’s former captain Christian Blunck also addressed the gathering and shared his memories of his playing days related to Pakistan.

Blunck said that Shahbaz was a great friend as they had a long association. “We feel that Pakistan is ready for the revival of international hockey,” he added.

Holland’s umpire Rob Lathouwers said that he had visited Pakistan many times. “This country is like my second home. I always wanted to visit the country as it has made great contribution to hockey,” he added.

PHF president Brig (rtd) Khalid Khokhar and secretary Shahbaz also spoke on the occasion and termed the visit of World XI and former legends of the game a historic occasion.

They thanked all the visitors for coming and helping PHF in reviving international hockey in Pakistan.

They said that Pakistanis would always remember their cooperation. The dinner reception was attended also by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi and provincial sports minister Jehangir Shuja Khanzada.

Source Link:https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/27...ind-pakistan-ready-for-international-contests