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LAHORE: Newly-appointed Pakistan football coach Tariq Lutfi has termed his team’s short tour to Thailand and the Olympics qualifiers against Malaysia a great opportunity to mix with the finest and expressed his hope for a decent display.
“These matches will be very good experience for our team. Playing the game on the international level always helps no matter what the results,” Lufti said.
Pakistan will undertake their fifth visit of Thailand, playing three warm up matches and an international U23 friendly during the two-week visit from February 6-20. This will be followed by a two-legged encounter against Malaysia on February 23 and March 9.
Speaking about his experience with the Pakistan side and the work ahead Lufti said, “Coaching football is a complex task- it requires a lot of specific skills and knowledge. You need an understanding of football specific skills as well as the ability to manage a team and develop teamwork.”
He was of the view that such tours were always beneficial in developing a team but a great deal of time was required to achieve the target.
It will be first ever visit of Thailand for Lutfi as Pakistani coach who earned one-year coaching assignment for National Team from Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)'s President Faisal Saleh Hayat last month.
The coach remained excited about the trip where the players would first get fitness training and then get develop a team combination.
“We will lay special emphasis on improving physical fitness and tactical training and we will be playing few matches with some age-limit teams and local clubs. These are the best players of the country and in Thailand we'll get organized as a team,” he added.
