Abu Dhabi: Pakistan hockey team, which has seen the transformation of arch rivals India under renowned coach Roelant Oltmans, believe that the Dutchman can revive Pakistan hockey.
The 63-year-old took over as Pakistan head coach in March and the team have so far responded well to his training manual. Though they have just completed a month under Oltmans’ reign, the green shirts are bubbling with excitement as they start their campaign in the Commonwealth Games against Wales on Thursday.
Action starts at 1.30pm.
“We are confident of springing up a few surprises in the tournament,” asserted Mohammad Irfan, one of the most senior members of the squad in an exclusive interview with Gulf News from Gold Coast on the eve of their opener.
“We had a good one month training camp in Karachi and the training sessions here have also gone well. There are many things we have to improve on though but we are getting there day by day,” added Irfan, whose side ranked 13th in pool ‘B’ alongside sixth-ranked India, seventh-ranked England, 12th-ranked Malaysia and 24th-ranked Wales.
Oltmans, who has been appointed head coach of Pakistan until September 2020, was in-charge of Indian hockey for four years, first as high performance director and later as chief coach since 2015 before his unceremonious sacking last September.
The shrewd tactician will be keen to make an impact straightaway, but to make Pakistan finish in the top three will be nothing short of a miracle. A victory against arch rivals India on April 7 will be the perfect boost that the coach will be eyeing to reignite the spark in the team.
“This tournament is more to build a strong team for the Asian Games, but definitely we are looking forward to performing well and winning a medal. Long way to go to build a strong team, but we will get there. We are looking to gain as much experience and will look to fine-tune things in this tournament,” revealed Irfan, whose team has won one silver and one bronze medal in 2006 and 2002 respectively, during their four outings in the Commonwealth Games.
Pakistan has also recalled experienced goalkeeper Imran Butt after leaving him in the cold for over a year and half following a fallout with former head coach Khawaja Junaid.
Having got the opportunity, Butt, brother of former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt, is keen to make the most of his chance. “I always believed I could come back, but comebacks are always difficult. All I’m looking forward is to contribute in an important victory for Pakistan. I will try to put my best foot forward and have been working early hard,” said Butt, adding that no team in the tournament can be taken lightly as anyone can pull off an upset on their day.
“Wales team comprises players from England, so they are a good side. All the players are playing in various leagues together these days and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. So anything is possible and you just have to play your best hockey on that day and victory will be yours,” asserted Butt.
