IPOH, Malaysia, Reuter: Malaysia beat England on penalty flicks (98) after both sides failed to score in a group “A” game in the Sultan Azlan Shah six nation hockey tournament, today. The victory put Malaysia at the top of the group. Both sides go through to Saturday’s semifinals after beating the third group team, Japan. The penalty shootout followed a lacklustre game in humid conditions during which both sides were let down by their frontliners.
In a group “B” match, Pakistan avenged their Asian Games defeat last year by beating South Korea 52 after leading 41 at halftime.
The Pakistanis, who lost the Asian Games final in Seoul, 21, time be devoted to this factor during the training camps. In the other factors like equipment, diet, etc. we are on par with the other nations. However, as far as preparation is concerned, we could devote a little more effort to the buildup toward major tournaments; for example, the squad could tour two or three countries a month or two before a series of major tournaments to give the players a feeling of togetherness and to remove the stultifying atmosphere of the training camps.
Next, a word on team selection during tournaments. the best team as far as form is concerned needs to be selected with due importance being given to the pillars of the team for the sake of continuity. Lastly, a word on the continuity of coaches. The man in charge needs to be given time to mold a team. A span of three years at the helm is imperative, dazzled the South Koreans with speed and clever stick work to race toa 40 lead through Qasi Mohib (12 minutes), Wasim Feroz (14), Naeem Akhtar (19) and Mustaq Ahmad (33).
But the South Koreans pulled one back with a penalty by Kim Man Hoe two minutes before halftime and continued to improve in the second half until Kim beat two Pakistan defenders to narrow the deficit in the 49th minute.
Substitute Ferhat Husain Khan scored Pakistan’s final goal in the 60th minute to send the South Koreans out of the semifinals.
West Germany was the second group “B” side to qualify for the semifinals. given the vagaries of the number of tournaments, mental physical fatigue and the time required to build ‘a team according to his own way of thinking. It is common for coaches to have a two to four year time span with foreign national teams; the same could be adhered to here.
It would seem that the foreign elements are being given an undue emphasis here true, to a certain extent, given the fact that they are using the benefits gained from the football arena. This stretches back 30 years, with continual improvements of tactics, formations, etc.
Our practices, however, have remained stagnant. The future of Indian hockey now more so than ever before is at a crossroad, Will the Indian Hockey Federation be bold enough to radically restructure the organization of the game within the country?
Article extracted from this publication >> April 24, 1987
