Arch-rivals clash in Hockey World Cup 2018 qualifier today

KARACHI: On Sunday (today),  sports fans in the sub-continent  are set for a unique experience  as arch-rivals Pakistan and India  collide in the HockeyWorld Cup  2018 qualifier, while their  cricket teams also lock horns in  the final of the ICC Champions  Trophy 2017.  While Pakistan’s cricket  team has mesmerized everyone  with some stunning performances  in the Champions Trophy,  the same cannot be said for its  hockey team which has faced  humiliating defeats in the two  qualifying matches — conceding  10 goals without scoring  even once.  Fans are skeptical about  green-shirts’ chances of qualifying  for the Hockey World Cup  2018 after a string of poor performances.  After being given  the required facilities by the  Pakistan Hockey Federation  (PHF) for the preparation of  their qualifiers, the team management  is now under pressure  to deliver.  Olympian Kamran Ashraf,  who is also attached with the  PHF, admitted that the team is  under pressure after the defeats  and must now keep focus on  winning against India and reaching  the quarter-finals.  Kamran—who coached the  junior hockey team recently in  their successful campaign at the  Australian domestic U18 championship  — said that despite  their poor results, there is a  need to support the team.  “Despite losing twomatches  in a row, Pakistan’s chances are  still alive. They must now win  against India and Scotland to  survive,” he said.  He termed the clash against  India as crucial and advised the  green-shirts to control their  nerves.  “Both the teams know each  other very well. We must control  our emotions and look to  take advantage of theirmistakes  to win the match,” he said.  In their firstmatch, Pakistan  were beaten by the Netherlands  4-0. The green-shirts then faced  an embarrassing 6-0 defeat  against Canada.  Pakistanmust nowwin their  remaining two matches to qualify  for the World Cup 2018. If  they fail to do so, their chances  will remain hanging in the balance  till the Asia Cup in  Bangladesh.  It is the first time that both  cricket and hockey teams of  Pakistan and India are facing  each other on the same day in a  major tournament.