Olympics '12 - Pakistan Hockey Team Watch | [Pakistan finishes 7th]

[12cavalry]

Originally Posted by chui_kadoo Where is the reserve keeper?

No reserve keeper.

[NA]

Originally Posted by cricketpassion You are right, GB win is must today for pak qualifying chances so we dont have to worry about GD in last match

Win or draw for GBR will be equally good for Pakistan, since the only way for Pakistan to qualify is with 10 points (beating Aus), and if Aus ties with GBR today, they'll be at 8 and remain so by last game.

Then again, when was the last time Pakistan beat Australia?

[Liverpoolred]

Can someone please settle this for good, by telling us what result in the GB-Aus match would suit Pak more?

[Azlan Khan]

Originally Posted by Liverpoolred Can someone please settle this for good, by telling us what result in the GB-Aus match would suit Pak more?

A Draw or a win for Australia will suit Pakistan.

[Liverpoolred]

Originally Posted by AzlanKhan A Draw or a win for Australia will suit Pakistan.

Thak you

[Afridirocks]

does anyone have video of goals scored by pakistan?

[cornered paktiger]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC GB and Aus are both on 7 points along with Pak(played one match more). So if GB beat Aus, they go to 10 points and if Pak beat Aus they will finish on 10 points with Aus out. So we should support GB to win. If Aus win then GB can still qualify winning their last game even if Pak win as GB will most likely have a better goal difference. Right?

Correct. The best scenario for us is a draw followed by a GB win. An Aus win would not be fatal - we would then have to beat Aus and hope Spain draw or beat GB (but a Spain win could result in them qualifying at our expense even if we beat Aus and it would come to goal difference).

In fact the scenario I would most like is that GB and Aus draw, Spain beat Argentina and GB and we beat Aus. It would result in Pak and Spain qualifying.

What needs to be done will be a lot more apparent after tonight.

[Badsha]

Any highlights video?

[KingKhanWC]

Originally Posted by Badsha Any highlights video?

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop...WIv5HcYg&gl=GB

[Hash]

I don't think goal difference will come into play.

If two teams finish level on points, the team who won the respective clash between the two sides will finish higher. It is only if the clash was a draw that goal difference will be looked at.

So if we beat Australia we will finish higher than them. Goal difference won't matter.

This is what the commentator was saying today.

[waqar_ahmad]

OK so GB should win or draw with Aus today. I believe the game has started.

[BoomBoomCricket]

Great win for the lads today.

Excellent game of hockey.

Full of twists and turns.

Still need to put in a strong show against Australia to progress.

Hopefully they manage it.

[AJK]

Aus Vs England (Well GB) but Swann plays for Australia. :swannyg66
Australia 2 up at HT

[AJK]

Australia 3 Nil

[iRfaN_LA]

3-1 to AUS, 20 minutes to go.

[iRfaN_LA]

Remember Spain has a disadvantage of -4 goal difference right now. Lets see how they do against Argentina tonite.

[cricketpassion]

GB back in the game , from 3-0 to 3-2 now

[iRfaN_LA]

England 2 - Aus 3

Game on.

[cricketpassion]

Its 3-3

[A.M.]

3-3 now

[A.M.]

anywhere to watch this match?

[iRfaN_LA]

wow, what a comeback from ENG.

[pakistanbest]

3-3, perfect result now please stay like this *praying*

[cricketpassion]

3-3 draw . good result for Pak

[Afridirocks]

Perfect Result for Pakistan

even the commentators were saying this result is great for Pakistanis and Spain

[pakistanbest]

So what do Pakistan have to do now?

[AJK]

Great comeback by GB to finish 3-3. Aussies are not invincible IF we play well.

[Afridirocks]

ok so now what do Pakistan need to do so they can qualify for medals race? and what should other results be?

[iRfaN_LA]

Its a draw. We have to beat AUS to qualify. Simple as that.

[Azlan Khan]

Full Time: Australia 3-3 Great Britain. Now if we beat Australia on Tuesday.. We are through to the Semi Finals. Let's do this Pakistan!! <3

[cricketpassion]

Originally Posted by pakistanbest So what do Pakistan have to do now?

Win against aus, victory with any margin will take us into semi

[zimmz]

Pakistan must win against Aus to proceed.

[Afridirocks]

that would be a huge ask for pak to beat aus

hoping for a miracle

[Pak_Jazba]

Pakistan won't go through even if they beat Aus and GBR beats ESP.

I dont know how anything more than a win for Aus was going to suit us.

[NA]

GBR drawing 3-3 is a great result for both Pakistan and Spain. A GBR win would have been equally good for keeping Pakistan's semi-final hopes alive, but this way, Spain is now in with a chance too.

If Spain wins the last game today against ARG, they will end up with 7 points too. Then the Pak-Aus and Esp-GBR games will decide who goes to semi-final. Aus and GBR only need to make sure they don't lose. Pak and Spain will need a win.

Excellent setup, made possible by the remarkable GBR comeback.

[TNA]

Australia's recent results:

6-0
5-0
2-2
3-3

Havnt lost a match two wins and two tie. This will be Aus first defeat if Pakistan has to go through semi's. It is very tough ask honestly.

[Seen Sheen]

The situation has become crystal clear for us after the conclusion of Australia-GB game. Any result other than a win = Elimination.
We win=Semifinal berth is sealed (irrespective of what happens in remaining games).

[iRfaN_LA]

Originally Posted by Pak_Jazba Pakistan won't go through even if they beat Aus and GBR beats ESP. I dont know how anything more than a win for Aus was going to suit us.

Wrong. Pakistan goes through if they beat AUS, no matter what. Australia is on 8 points, and Pakistan on 7. If we beat AUS, we will be on 10 and one of GB and Spain will go through.

[Hash]

Originally Posted by Pak_Jazba Pakistan won't go through even if they beat Aus and GBR beats ESP. I dont know how anything more than a win for Aus was going to suit us.

You are wrong.

If we beat Australia we go to 10 points.
Australia will remain on 8 points.

If GB beat Spain they will go to 11 points and finish top of the group.
We will be on 10 points and finish second.

[NA]

Originally Posted by Hash I don't think goal difference will come into play. If two teams finish level on points, the team who won the respective clash between the two sides will finish higher. It is only if the clash was a draw that goal difference will be looked at. So if we beat Australia we will finish higher than them. Goal difference won't matter. This is what the commentator was saying today.

And that is wrong.

The order of breaking a tie in 2012 olympics is,

a) Team who scored most wins
b) Team which had the best goal difference
c) Team which scored the most goals

So if the points are equal, they check (a) first and if that doesn't resolve the tie they go to (b) and then (c).

If Pakistan wins they'll qualify and it doesn't matter what happens in other games.

If they draw, they 'll end up at 8 points, and there is an outside scenario where both Spain and GBR end up at 8 points, with same amount of wins, but one of Spain and GBR will have better GD than Pakistan.

[Seen Sheen]

Australia would come out all guns blazing. Semi final spot is on the line. Had they beaten GB then they could've relaxed against us knowing that they are through. But now a defeat most probably would send them packing. So, they will be ruthless against us. We, too, have to show the same mentality. Otherwise, would be curtains for us I am afraid.

Jamie Dwyer, best player in the world, has been our nemesis. If we could keep a check on him, then half the job would be done I guess.

Go Pakistan!!!You can do it!

[iRfaN_LA]

Its a do or die situation. Pakistan needs a fearless approach.

[AZulfi]

Pakistan must treat the game against Australia like a QF. A draw will be enough for Australia but not Pakistan

The Australia-Argentina 2-2 draw has thrown us a lifeline (albeit a near impossible one) otherwise our fate was more or less sealed after GB-Australia drawn match today, and what an incredible come-back by GB (they were 3-0 down after 40 minutes of play)

http://www.london2012.com/hockey/event/men/

[Mohsin]

Pakistan v NZ 1992 WC semi-final...

Pakistan v Australia 2012 Olympics QF...

Here we go!

[cricketpassion]

Spain won by 3-1 against ARG , so after. Playing 4 matches standings are
AUS. 8 points
GB. 8 points
PAK. 7 points
SPAIN 7 points

7th of Aug
Pak vs AUS & GB vs SPAIN

[Azlan Khan]

Originally Posted by AZulfi Pakistan must treat the game against Australia like a QF. A draw will be enough for Australia but not Pakistan The Australia-Argentina 2-2 draw has thrown us a lifeline (albeit a near impossible one) otherwise our fate was more or less sealed after GB-Australia drawn match today, and what an incredible come-back by GB (they were 3-0 down after 40 minutes of play) http://www.london2012.com/hockey/event/men/

I thought we never had a chance? ^^

Never EVER lose hope, never ever!

[AZulfi]

Originally Posted by AzlanKhan I thought we never had a chance? ^^ Never EVER lose hope, never ever!

Realistically speaking beating Australia is a monumental task with the current set of forwards (only Rehan Butt would walk into most teams of the 80s and 90s) and mediocre goalie

should not have lost against GB

hoping (against hope) for the best on Tuesday. will be the happiest man if we do beat Australia

Feel for Sohail Abbas despite his record goal tally of 347 international goals. He could have won many more tournaments for Pakistan had he played in the 80s and early 90s

Unfortunately for Sohail, he never played in a Pakistan team boasting a world-class attack. Pakistan's last great forward, Shahbaz Ahmed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahbaz_Ahmed

had retired (1996) by the time Sohail made his international debut in hockey (1998)

[Badshah WMC]

Originally Posted by 12cavalry No reserve keeper.

Does seem to be a reserve keeper....

http://www.london2012.com/hockey/eve...a13/index.html

[TalhaSyed]

Best of luck boys!

Beat the Aussies & secure a semi spot!

[asifp]

Two things need to happen to beat Australia:

1. Our PC conversion needs to be atleast 50%
2. Our Goalie can by sheer luck make a save or two!

[PakFan2010]

I can't see Pakistan beating Australia but anything can happen.

Just hit the ball into the goal and everything will be fine.

[Azlan Khan]

My gut feeling is we are gonna beat Australia 3-2.

[Obeid]

When is this game?

[cricketpassion]

Originally Posted by AzlanKhan My gut feeling is we are gonna beat Australia 3-2.

Inshallah

[cricketpassion]

Originally Posted by Obeid When is this game?

Tuesday 10: 45 uk time

[Square Drive]

Come on Pakistan, you can do it! But the reserve goalie has to play IMO.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by asifp Two things need to happen to beat Australia: 1. Our PC conversion needs to be atleast 50% 2. Our Goalie can by sheer luck make a save or two!

I would argue that our PC conversion needs to be at 100%. Australia's defence will not be as loose as South Africa's, hence less chance of scoring field goals.

Also it's not just the keeper, but the entire defence needs to be much more watertight and cohesive. Simply cannot allow the Aussies to score the type of field goals that South Africa and GB did.

[iRfaN_LA]

We have to be very alert in the first 5 minutes in particular. I hope the team management addresses that. Both SA and ENG scored in the first three minutes against us while our defence was sleeping.

[cricketfan86]

Originally Posted by AzlanKhan My gut feeling is we are gonna beat Australia 3-2.

Inshallah

[MoHZ]

Originally Posted by AJK http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/...video/p00w312f This mornings matches. UK viewers only i believe

Thankyou v much. What a match!

[Azlan Khan]

Let's do this boy! Sohail Abbas to play a important role in tomorrow's game.

Pakistan!.jpg

Pakistan4.jpg

Pakistan3.jpg

Rehan Butt3.jpg

Sohail Abbas.jpg

[cricketpassion]

In Olympics Pakistan and Aus Played 9 times against each other and Pakistan have won 6 time while Aus 3 .
Come on Pakistan do it again

[cornered paktiger]

Originally Posted by cricketpassion In Olympics Pakistan and Aus Played 9 times against each other and Pakistan have won 6 time while Aus 3 . Come on Pakistan do it again

But what's our recent record v Aus? When did we last beat them.

Incidentally, a great format which has resulted in what are in effect 2 quarter finals in Group A - Pak v Aus and Spain v GB. The cricket world cup would be so much better if they had 2 groups of 6 with only the top 2 in each group qualifying for the semis.

Almost every match has been important with something riding on it. I only have a passing interest in hockey (every Olympics) but have found it far more interesting than the last cricket world cup which was only interesting in the knock-out stage.

[BoomBoomCricket]

Do or Die time

[aneeq7]

I've got a good feeling about tommorow, we might just win it and enter the semis.

But im sure we'll lose it in the semis. Germany/Holland are clearly better.

[Boi]

Originally Posted by cornered paktiger But what's our recent record v Aus? When did we last beat them. Incidentally, a great format which has resulted in what are in effect 2 quarter finals in Group A - Pak v Aus and Spain v GB. The cricket world cup would be so much better if they had 2 groups of 6 with only the top 2 in each group qualifying for the semis. Almost every match has been important with something riding on it. I only have a passing interest in hockey (every Olympics) but have found it far more interesting than the last cricket world cup which was only interesting in the knock-out stage.

They beat the Aussies in the final of the SAS tournament late last year 4-3, so there is some hope there! Insha'Allah they can pull it off once again!

[aneeq7]

Originally Posted by Boi They beat the Aussies in the final of the SAS tournament late last year 4-3, so there is some hope there! Insha'Allah they can pull it off once again!

Didn't we lose that Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament?

[aneeq7]

Just checked. We lost 3-2 after extra time. But Hai jazba junoon toh himat na har!

[NA]

Pakistan did beat Australia 4-3 in final of tri-series cup in Australia, in November of last year. In the same tournament, Aus beat Pak 8-2 in group stage.

Sohail Abbas, Mohammad Imran, Shakeel Abbasi and Mohammad Toseeq scored the goals for Pakistan team. A somewhat detailed article is at
http://tribune.com.pk/story/287045/p...rnament-final/

What a wonderful treat it would be, if Pakistan can reach semi-finals by beating Australia - the number one team in the world. Good luck to the team.

[Raz]

http://dawn.com/2012/08/06/australia-can-be-beaten/



‘Australia can be beaten’


Salman Akbar is a veteran goal-keeper who made his debut for Pakistan’s hockey team in 2001. Termed by Olympian Shahid Ali Khan as one of the most hard-working players in the game, Akbar has won the 2005 Rabo Trophy and the 2010 Asian Games gold medal with Pakistan. He was adjudged the ‘best keeper’ in both events. Here, he reviews Pakistan’s performance against South Africa and analyses their next opponents Australia who they play on Tuesday in a fight for a semi-final spot.

What a fight back from Pakistan! They believed in each other and displayed great fighting spirit to earn three points against South Africa and remain in the hunt for the semi-finals. The last seven minutes of the game showed what Pakistan hockey is truly capable of, and scoring two goals in the dying minutes of the game was a great testament to their never-say-die attitude.

The start of the match, once again, was not ideal for Pakistan as South Africa managed a lead with just 1:37 on the clock. Pakistan sprung into action after that and upped the ante considerably. They managed to come back from being goals down on several occasions and that aspect of their game was particularly laudable.

They were very organized in the full press and even in half-court press. Waseem Ahmad is no doubt having a great tournament so far but it was heartening to see Fareed Ahmed step up too and provide the midfield with the much-needed impetus. He had an outstanding game. It was also great to see Haseem Khan scoring two goals and assisting two. Muhammad Rizwan (Sr) showed great skills on the left side. Muhammad Imran played like a mature defender and with him captain Sohail Abbas led from the front in the back. Communication was excellent in the front line when going for full press but Pakistan need to consistent throughout the match. They were good in patches and seemed to take the foot off the pedal on several occasions thus giving South Africa the chance to equalize.

Pakistan will need to keep their composure to avoid getting carded. It cost them against South Africa and against Australia it may open the gates. Once again Pakistan did not employ any indirect variation of PCs which was shocking to say the least. Another shocker was goal-keeper Imran Shah’s performance. He should thank his teammates who scored five goals otherwise his pathetic effort would have been in the limelight. He needs to be stable under the bars.

Overall, it was a very good and important victory for Pakistan but they cannot afford to miss easy chances anymore.

Mighty but not invincible

Australia are the top-ranked team in the world and though they are beatable, there is no doubt that they pose the biggest challenge for all participating teams. They have been very consistent for the last few years and have won all major events in the lead-up to the Games. They have some outstanding players like Jamie Dwyer, Eddie Ockenden and Mark Knowles and the most successful coach in the world in Ric Charlesworth. Australia are renowned for playing very fast hockey and are very dangerous in the first and last 15 minutes of the game and normally score in this period. They solely play pressure hockey – their PC attack has not been good so far but they use lot of variations on the top of the circle. Christopher Ciriello is their main drag flicker and his favorite angles, the top left and bottom right, will really test Imran Shah. They have good first runners in PC defense and their defenders and midfielders connect seamlessly. Very famous for quick restarts, they can make the opponents pay dearly. After making a great start to the tournament, the last two games have seen them struggling somewhat. Great Britain came from 3-0 down to draw against them but the 2-2 draw against Argentina was the real upset of the Olympics.

It may seem they are having trouble holding their lead but they will definitely go for goals. There is great understanding between their strikers and the buildup to their attack involves the midfield. Pakistan should watch out for high balls as the Kookaburras move very well in the deep zone. They are very good in covering the second post and score a lot of goals like that.

Australia will most definitely be on the lookout for goals to close out their opponents and will play hard-hitting hockey in the Pakistani defense to get PCs and deflections in front of the goal mouth.

Hold fort and reap the rewards

As I said earlier, Australia can be beaten. Pakistan have always contested well against Australia and beat them in front of their home crowd in Perth last year in a 4-nation event. Pakistan should start with half-court press and try to hold them in the first 15 minutes which will irritate the Aussies. Pakistan have to show great patience and should realise that they will get plenty of scoring opportunities in the 70 minutes.

The Greenshirts should not try to beat the Aussie defense with individual skill but go on the offense as a unit as their defenders are very good in one-on-one situations. Pakistan have to be at their best in counter control as the world champions are very fast in turn overs. Communication will be key.

Pakistan will have to keep the Australian midfield under constant pressure to stop them from generating attacks and its defense will have to be at its best. For goal-keeper Imran Shah, this is a great opportunity to prove all the critics wrong and he should be aiming to be the hero for his country. Shah should put what’s happened in the tournament so far behind him and stand under the bars with a big heart.

Pakistan’s midfield should not hold the ball much and instead deliver it quickly as the Aussies love to put pressure in that area of the pitch to create goal-scoring opportunities.

Waseem and Fareed have been doing a great job in this department and they should keep improving

Time for penalty-corner change-up

In PC attack Sohail should still be the first choice and select angles after thorough video analysis of their goal-keeper and first runner. Even if Sohail is successful, Pakistan should look for indirect variations to ease the pressure on their captain.

When defending PCs, Imran Shah should wait longer for the ball before reacting and be stable on the first shot. Pakistan should run mostly 3-1 full and also change the position of their line stopper.

Fluid strikers needed

If Pakistan’s strikers remain static, the Aussies will love it and will not have any problem in putting pressure on Pakistan’s defense. So they have to do lot of running without the ball – same for the midfield – to create gaps for the build up.

Pakistan should use the referrals very smartly as they wasted them in the last match and missed out on some clear PCs.

Missing chances will not be acceptable in this match so strikers should be at their best and should finish at least 70% of the chances they get. Aussies defend with a lot of players so Pakistan should use the maximum number of transfers which will definitely give them a lot of space and opportunity to attack.

This will without any doubt be a high-pace game so a lot of rolling substitutions should be utilized.

Pakistan should treat this as the quarter-final of the Olympics and play with great intensity. It will be a great game to watch and the team which plays with more responsibility will win.

Players to watch:

No particular player can be singled out as Pakistan requires the whole squad to fire. My best wishes and prayers are with them, with a special ‘good luck’ for goalie Imran Shah.

[Raz]

http://tribune.com.pk/story/418290/f...gh-test-ahead/

'For Olympics semi-final berth, Pakistan hockey has a tough test ahead'

KARACHI: Hockey legend Olympian Hasan Sardar feels that there is a tough test ahead for the green-shirts when they face world champions Australia on Tuesday in a do-or-die battle.

To conquer their opponents, Sardar believes that performances from each player could earn a rare victory for Pakistan and a rarer Olympics semi-final berth.

“Each and every player must perform in the match to win against Australia,” Sardar told PPI. “Pakistan plays well against Australians and there is a chance that eighth placed Pakistan could beat World No1 Australians in the last group match.”

However, Sardar added that the match could be their toughest test yet and the defence must put on show their best and the forward-line should assist them to keep the Australians on tenterhooks by attacking frequently.

“The Pakistani defence did well in the first two matches but against Great Britain and South Africa, the defence looked disoriented. Meanwhile, forward-line also failed to support them well,” he said.

The fact that the forward-line has started scoring field goals, Sardar believed it was a good sign going into the all important match.

“The players should go all out to win their match. Australians play open and attacking game like us and therefore our team will also have a good chance to beat the hot favourites,” he said.

But the Australians will also be determined to win the match as they are also in dire need of three points to confirm their place in the semi-finals after drawing against hosts Great Britain.

Australia and Great Britain hold the top two positions in the group with eight points each while Pakistan are at third ahead of Spain and South Africa with seven points.

“We have defeated Argentina in the tournament and Argentina has drawn its match against Australia. So I think there is hope for us that our team beats Australia and qualifies for the semi-finals and let’s pray that our team win and qualify for the semi-finals,” Hasan said.

Meanwhile, another legendary Olympian Samiullah said that there is little hope for the underdogs to beat the Australians or either pull a draw as Australia is undoubtedly the best team playing in the tournament.

“Fingers are crossed for the team but the chances are low as Australia is the best team competing in the tournament. In order to win, each player must give out their personal best to win the match,” Samiullah said.

[Raz]

http://tribune.com.pk/story/418325/h...e-says-junaid/



Hockey: Australians not invincible, says Junaid

KARACHI: A win against Australia today is what the Pakistan hockey team needs to qualify for the Olympics semi-finals.

The Greenshirts, who made an emphatic comeback after a drubbing at the hands of Great Britain (GB) with a 5-4 win over South Africa, are confident ahead of the crucial clash against the opponents, yet to lose in the event. Pakistan are placed third with seven points, ahead of Spain on goal-difference, while Australia and GB occupy the first and second places respectively.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team management was keeping things simple.

“We know we need a win and we’re going for it,” Pakistan coach Khwaja Junaid told The Express Tribune. “They are tough and mighty but not invincible. They were held by GB after a 3-0 lead and this shows they’re vulnerable. Our players have regained confidence after the South Africa win.” The last two encounters between the two sides in 2011 saw contrasting results with Pakistan edging out Australia 4-3 in a four-nation final, while the defeat was avenged with a 6-1 thrashing in the Champions Trophy a month later in December.

‘Pakistan must play in Asian style’

Meanwhile, former captain Islahuddin Siddiqui said that aggression may help Pakistan shock the world champions.

“The team should play attacking hockey — the Asian style,” said Islahuddin. “They should try to dominate them from the start. But the team also needs to improve their defence.”

[iHammad]

Insha'allah the boys will win.

Pakistan Zindabad!

[chui_kadoo]

come on lads. we can do this

[chui_kadoo]

1-0 Australia already. Early goal. Poor keeping once again

[chui_kadoo]

Need a miracle

[chui_kadoo]

Another PC to Australia

[chui_kadoo]

2-0 Australia

[chui_kadoo]

Looks like a rout. Game over

[shahidafridi123]