Pakistan need big win over South Africa in World Cup
With their hopes of a semi-final place receding fast, Pakistan need to force a big win as they take on the weakest Pool B side South Africa in the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Saturday.
Hosts India also suffered their second successive defeat to Spain on Thursday night raising the prospect of semifinals being played without the two countries which were once the powerhouses of world hockey.
"It is a sad reflection on the state of affairs prevailing in hockey in the sub-continent," former Pakistan captain and Olympian Hanif Khan said.
The fact that both Pakistan and India might not be in the semi-finals shows how low our standards have sunk and not just because other teams have improved but because our administrators have taken no proper and far sighted decisions to keep the sport alive in these countries.
Like their sub-continental cousins India, Pakistan first have to win both their remaining games to keep alive their chances, which would also depend on the results of other games in the pool.
Having conceded 22 goals without earning a single point in their three games, South Africa have turned out to be the favourite whipping boys in the tournament and provide a good opportunity to Pakistan to find their bearings after the 2-5 defeat against England in an exciting but ill-tempered game Thursday.
England now top the pool with nine points, having won all their matches, followed by while Australia and Spain with six each.
Pakistan, like India, are on three points but the hosts occupy the fourth slot on better goal difference.
For Pakistan, the road ahead would be anything but smooth, as what looks like a relatively easy game against the African team would be followed by the match against strong title contenders, Australia, who have been on a song after the shock defeat by England in the opener.
With their hopes of a semi-final place receding fast, Pakistan need to force a big win as they take on the weakest Pool B side South Africa in the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Saturday.
Hosts India also suffered their second successive defeat to Spain on Thursday night raising the prospect of semifinals being played without the two countries which were once the powerhouses of world hockey. "It is a sad reflection on the state of affairs prevailing in hockey in the sub-continent," former Pakistan captain and Olympian Hanif Khan said.
The fact that both Pakistan and India might not be in the semi-finals shows how low our standards have sunk and not just because other teams have improved but because our administrators have taken no proper and far sighted decisions to keep the sport alive in these countries.
Like their sub-continental cousins India, Pakistan first have to win both their remaining games to keep alive their chances, which would also depend on the results of other games in the pool.
Having conceded 22 goals without earning a single point in their three games, South Africa have turned out to be the favourite whipping boys in the tournament and provide a good opportunity to Pakistan to find their bearings after the 2-5 defeat against England in an exciting but ill-tempered game Thursday.
England now top the pool with nine points, having won all their matches, followed by while Australia and Spain with six each.
Pakistan, like India, are on three points but the hosts occupy the fourth slot on better goal difference.
For Pakistan, the road ahead would be anything but smooth, as what looks like a relatively easy game against the African team would be followed by the match against strong title contenders, Australia, who have been on a song after the shock defeat by England in the opener.
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