It's do or die against Great Britain: Rehan Butt

E-Paper | March 02, 2026

Rehan Butt. -Photo by Reuters

Pakistan registered its first win of the London Games by beating Argentina 2-0, thanks to penalty corners either side of halftime.

Mohammad Imran and captain Sohail Abbas scored as Pakistan swept past Argentina at the Riverbank Arena in London.

While the win provided much cause for celebration for Pakistani fans, veteran forward Rehan Butt said his side were already focusing on its next contest.

“We just needed three points,” said Butt.

“It doesn't matter if it's with a two goal difference or one goal.

Butt termed Pakistan's next match against hosts Great Britain as the most crucial in his side's campaign at the Games.

“Next game we are playing Great Britain. I think for Pakistan and for Great Britain we have the same feelings because there's a do or die match for the second place.”

The Greenshirts will play against the hosts on Friday (20:00 PST), before taking on South Africa and the rampaging Australian side.

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Jawwad

Aug 02, 2012 02:41pm

Yes but they also have the tendency to start stronger and phase off at crucial stage of the tournament. Don't know why but I am hoping against the odds this time. Just a feel good thing.

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Jawwad

Aug 02, 2012 02:38pm

You are forgetting this is the most experienced side in Olympics from any side and trust me experience counts in big events like this. Should they go on to beat GB, I think they can secure any position from 1 trough 4 and that is acceptable to us.

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S.A

Aug 02, 2012 03:30pm

Why second? They should aim at getting on the top of the table!

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Imran

Aug 02, 2012 10:35am

I will be watching Pakistan vs Australia @ Riverbank Arena. I hope they win or at least a draw. Fingers crossed.

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Vikas Gurung

Aug 03, 2012 10:07am

This is the Indian Best of Luck to Pakistani Team

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a-jay

Aug 03, 2012 10:21am

Do it and don't die

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Bashir Khattak

Aug 02, 2012 11:47am

Inshaallah Pakistan team will win against GB as they feel the ground realities very well and will play unitedly and attack against opponent by making goals. In olympic no team is victorious without playing very well. We pray and wish Pakistan team to be victorious not only against GB but against all its opponents. Long live Pakistan.

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truth bites

Aug 02, 2012 09:18am

Pakistanis do have tendancy to win against the odds, hungery for win with passion can create good resuls even though they might not has chance of winning agains top teams at present. Give some respect to Pakistan - 4 times world champions here!

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mustafa

Aug 02, 2012 04:39am

Darn . fingers crossed

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Tahir

Aug 02, 2012 04:54am

What a sad day for Pakistan hockey when it has to worry about an opponent like GB. In its glory days GB wouldn't have stood chance.

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m.y.saleem

Aug 02, 2012 05:33am

i wish they beat england,we are missing field goals ,which is basis of asian hockey.the dribbling done by samiullah,shehnaz,kaleemullah,we can't forget.

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Ahmed

Aug 02, 2012 05:36am

Yes its do or die against them. But beware, they might be hatching some ugly propaganda against Pakistan before the match. Some sort of fixing scams, doping, etc. Don't focus on what they say.. Just go and make them bite the dust !

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Guest

Aug 02, 2012 05:36am

Reply to Tahir: please be informed before making comments such as the one you have just made. In its glory days, teams like Aus/Ger/Holland and Pk were far better than other teams. These days standards are very close. This is shown by the fact that GB just beat AUS 4-1 yest. Go PAKISTAN!

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ahmet abdulaziz

Aug 02, 2012 05:36am

good performance. I expect more success in the offing. Wishing all of best to the Pakistan Hockey.

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znadz

Aug 02, 2012 06:29am

Yes but those days are over - we want pakistan to win but looking at the ball control & the amount of time match played in pakistans side (full match minus three panelty corners time), raising big hopes would be unrealistic _but _Well Done So Far Green Shirts_Need a lot of homework - better facilities, more incentives and rigorous headhunt

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truth bites

Aug 02, 2012 09:15am

may be true for glory days, but currently GB team isnt that far off from the top teams and they will be playing at home ground with home crowd with much better chances to win against any team! If current Pakistan team able to convert chances into goals and defend well, then they can win agaisnt any team.

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Abid

Aug 02, 2012 06:44am

Good job done green shirts n we all wish u best of luck for encounter against England.

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Muhammad Younas

Aug 02, 2012 07:42am

great job Pakistan Hockey team. Keep it up you can do it against Britain

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Musta

Aug 02, 2012 12:13pm

Even a Draw would be a good result as that would leave both Pakistan and GB on 5 points each. Pakistan should then beat Sa and GB play Australia so Pakistan will heav advantage before the last game.

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Ali Noor

Aug 02, 2012 08:00am

Though I agree with your opinion, but GB beating AUS 4 -1 isnt' a correct information. Is it? Are you talking of Olympic men hockey 2012?

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Ahtasham

Aug 02, 2012 08:13am

This time we will win Gold InshaAllah

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Ali

Aug 02, 2012 08:19am

Buck up Pakistan !!! You can do it and yes you will do it.

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Zuhair

Aug 02, 2012 08:19am

I foresee a semifinal line up comprising of Holland Germany, Aussies and Pakistan - remindng me of my childhood - late 80s and the early 90s Shhabaz days

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Irfan Hussain

Aug 02, 2012 08:23am

Sohail Abbas is great - team can bring a medal with his captaincy

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azkhan71

Aug 02, 2012 04:22pm

Best of Luck Pakistani Lions... CHAK DE PAKISTAN!!!!

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fawad

Aug 02, 2012 05:04pm

Pak Vs GB is the most crucial match for PAK in its medal campagin for Olypmics.Pak must win at any cost even draw will not help

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Naveed

Aug 02, 2012 08:25pm

Currently, the best team in Olympics is Great Britain. So Pakistan is against a tough opponent. I am also convinced that Pakistan will beat GB. Pakistan plays with lot of emotion and with spirit of vengeance against the British.

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Fahim

Aug 03, 2012 02:05am

I have been closely watching Pakistan playing in 2012 Olympics. So far, they don't look very impressive. They should show more confidence and control and take chances instead of playing too defensive. Their ability to convert chances into goals will determine their chances to play into finals. And remember, just prays will not bring any Gold medal. In God's eye everyone is equal. What matters most is your hard work and tenacity. Good luck to both Pakistan and GB.

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Ehtaisham

Aug 03, 2012 02:57am

Although pak beat argentina in crucial match and tie with spain, but i am sorry to say that they have to do more hard work, when they face tough oppositions.we can just pray for the best of our team.Gud luck

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Zeeshan

Aug 03, 2012 05:23am

best of luck green shirts...InshAllah you will do it.

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Michael Warner

Aug 03, 2012 06:01am

AKHTAR RASOOL WILL COME UP WITH A GOOD GAME PLAN TO CARVE A WIN AGAINST GREAT BRITAIN SIDE. AS A PLAYER AKHTAR BAHI WON 100% MATCHES AGAINST THE GREAT BRITAIN. iN 60'S,70'S, 80'S AND EVEN 90'S PAKISTAN WON 95% MATCHES AND FEW WERE DRAWN, 1% WERE LOST. BUT IN 2000'S THE GREAT BRITAIN WAS CONSISTENT TO WIN SEVERAL MATCHES AND ACTUALLY WON EVEN IN THE OLYMPICS. SO LET'S SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME. GREAT BRITAIN PLAYS AGGRESSIVELY ATTACKING STYLE FOR FIRST 25 MINUTES AND GET AT LEAST 2 GOALS DURING THIS TIME AND LATER IN THE GAME THEY SCORE A GOAL HERE OR THERE. IF PAKISTAN CAN HANDLE THEIR EARLIER ONSLAUGHT, I AM SURE PAKISTAN WITH THEIR STRATEGY CAN WIN THE GAME AND ENJOY 3 POINTS.

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Amjed

Aug 03, 2012 12:45pm

InshaAllah

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