Pakistan’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 show has been a blend of good play and lost opportunities. The tournament started on a rosy note as the team went all out with some good skills and determination in the group stages. Early wins over Malaysia and Japan set the tone. Pakistan was indicated, thus, as a serious contender for the title in this trophy. Early wins came mostly through proper team effort and strategy. Key players put up important moves at crucial moments.

But it has been a strict fight for the team in their matches against India and South Korea. Also, as always, it came with heavy pressure due to rivalry with India, though they provided a good fight and did not manage to win but lost at the end in a close tie. Defensive lapses at crucial points let India capture the lead, from where Pakistan will have to start again at the latter stages.

Into the round of sixteen, Pakistan stood firm, and more so at the quarterfinal stage, thereby making it to the semis. Players like Ghazanfar Ali, a personal favorite of mine, and Abubakr had demonstrated great leadership skills in addition to technical prowess. The personal tragedy of losing a father has added an emotional burden on the team, but Ghazanfar forced himself to play, indicating massive personal strength and commitment for the cause of his team.

The semi-final match perhaps has been the most heart-wrenching moment of the tournament, especially when Pakistan dominated the ball and approached the rival’s box for multiple scoring opportunities-there came around 15 shots on target against four China had managed. Pakistan could not make a goal out of all these opportunities where the match went into shootout. Luck did not favor Pakistan, and China won the match.

Coach Tahir Zaman felt that a good effort was evident from the team, but this close loss tended to emotionally and physically exhaust the side. All the more so when some of the key boys – Abubakr being one of them – were injured and missing. The impact will be there. Still, the loss cannot overshadow the general performance of the side as it looks for a third match to finish third in the hierarchy, going against South Korea.

Although the trophy might be out of reach for Pakistan, their journey in this tournament indicates in equal measure their strengths and vulnerable areas to more finishing up bright.

Sources: https://jang.com.pk/

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