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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hockey team’s manager Khawaja Muhammad Junaid on Wednesday expressed optimism about his team’s prospects on it’s upcoming tour of Europe.
Talking to a private news channel, Junaid said he was satisfied with the team combination, which was a mix of talented juniors and several proven senior players.
“We’ve been working on these players for the last six to eight months,” Junaid said of the youngsters as he revealed Pakistan Hockey Federation’s plans to ease the players into the international fold.
Commenting on the squad for the tour, Junaid said performances at the 2010 Asian Games and the recently concluded Azlan Shah Cup was the main criteria besides fitness and motivation.
“We have selected the final team keeping in view the past performance of players. As far seniors players are concerned, they will be part of the team until the perform and show fitness.’
“Shakeel Abbasi was named the Player of the Tournament at the Azlan Shah Cup while Sohail Abbas was the leading scorer in the event. So the signs are good.”
To another question including junior players in the national squad, he said “we want to carry some junior players with the team like Muhammad Rizwan who was the part of national team at Azlan Shah Cup. But the junior team is going to play the Asia Cup in Singapore and it needs players for better results.”
