The most important international event for Pakistan hockey in the coming days is the junior World Cup in India this December. The recent appearance at the 4-Nation junior tournament in the German city of Hannover was an important part of the preparation for the junior World Cup. The other three contesting sides were the top European hockey nations -- Germany, Netherlands and Belgium.

In their opening fixture, Pakistan went down to the hosts 2-5. It must be remembered that Germany are not only the reigning Junior World Champions but have won an amazing number of six out of the total 10 junior World Cups held so far.

In the second game, Pakistan lost to Belgium 2-4 after leading 2-0 at the half time. However, they achieved a 1-1 draw against the formidable Netherlands in their last fixture.

Pakistan’s former captain Tahir Zaman, the head coach of the national junior side, gives his views about the performance.

"It was a very important tour for this junior side. The team was raised only one year back. Before this European trip, it had only two international outings, both in Malaysia: Sultan of Johor Cup and the Junior Asia Cup. At the Sultan of Johor Cup, where some of world’s best teams participated, we had finished last among the six sides. That was really alarming as within a few weeks, Pakistan had to play the junior Asia Cup which also doubled as the qualifiers for the junior World Cup. We did some serious homework and it paid off. Pakistan had to reach the semi-final to qualify for the junior World Cup. The team did well to finish second. However, a European tour was very essential to prepare the side for the junior World Cup."

Are you satisfied with the performance?

"The results are apparently not impressive but I am satisfied with the overall performance. Yes, we lost the first two games 2-5 and 2-4. But one has to look at a number of factors. We had problems well before the departure. Our star player Emad Butt, who had captained the team at the Junior Asia Cup, got unfit for the tour. There were serious visa problems. Teams were allowed 20 players at the Hannover tournament. Unfortunately, we could obtain visas for only 16. You know in these days of rolling substitution, all the boys on the bench are utilized. I would say for Pakistan it was 16 against 20 at Hannover.

As per the original itinerary, the team was to reach Germany on July 11 and play two matches against the Netherlands junior team in Arnhem at the Dutch/German border plus three games against top German clubs. That would have been an excellent preparation for the event. But the visa complications meant we arrived only on the 19th just two days before the opening fixture against the hosts. Nevertheless, the boys made a good start and also took the lead. Just before the half time, it was 1-1. Unfortunately, one of our players was suspended for 10 minutes. The Germans went ahead and didn’t look back. Three of their goals came off penalty corners.

"In the next match against Belgium, Pakistan’s start was even better and at half time they were leading 2-0. The most in-form forward Bilal Qadir, scorer in both the matches, had his nose fractured and took no further part in the tournament. The attacking rhythm got disturbed. Again, the team had a poor second half. Here, I must mention that the first Belgian goal was a highly disputed one. Still, Pakistan should not have come second best after leading by two goals."

Pakistan had a bad second half in both the matches. Does that mean the boys lacked in physical fitness?

"No. The main reason was that the boys didn’t follow the game plan throughout. They stuck well to the overall strategy and the individual roles assigned to them in the first half but later lost track. This was mainly due to lack of international experience."

The 1-1 draw in the last game against the Netherlands indicates better show.

"Yes, the boys improved with every game. It also shows team’s character. Just one day back, Pakistan had lost after leading by two goals. There was disappointment in the camp. Yet, they came out of it and managed to draw against a strong team. The team was also without Bilal Qadir for this tie. Here, we conceded the lead and scored the equalizer in the dying minutes. That vindicates boys’ physical fitness as well as fighting spirit."

"There were several gains. The team competed well with world’s leading sides, at least in patches. The draw against the Netherlands, who were in the race for the top position before the match, should serve as a big confidence booster."

What are the grey areas needed to be worked upon?

"Goal keeping remains a serious concern. Usman Ghani, the only net minder in the squad, was making his international debut in this high profile tourney, and that told. Some soft goals were conceded. As far as penalty corners go, goals were scored via indirect variations and off rebounds but direct conversions need to be worked upon. There was a lot of missing by the forwards who couldn’t avail good goal scoring opportunities. I mentioned before that the boys didn’t follow the assigned plan the whole duration in the first two matches. They need to be more focused all along. Quick transition from defensive to offensive mould and vice versa as per the situation is a need of today’s fast hockey. "

What are the plans before the junior World Cup?

"The biggest requirement is international exposure. In August/ September, Pakistan juniors would be touring Spain and Netherlands. Two tests against Spain’s junior national team are scheduled in Barcelona while three matches would be played against top clubs of Netherlands. In the first week of November, the team would figure in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia which has now become the most important annual tournament for the national junior sides. Before that there would be a 3-5 match series with the Pakistan’s national side. All this would hopefully enable Pakistan to be well prepared for the big event in India."