KARACHI: Pakistan are happy to have drag flick ace Sohail Abbas back in their side for next month’s Asia Cup in Kuantan, Malaysia. But the return of the world hockey’s most prolific goal-scorer has also posed a major problem for the national team officials, who are thinking about where to place him in the playing XI during the eight-nation spectacle penciled in for May 9-15.
Sohail has not played for Pakistan since the 2006 World Cup in Germany but is certain to make the cut for the 18-man Asia Cup squad on the basis of skills as a short corner expert. Pakistan are desperate to have his services for the Asia Cup that will serve as the qualifying round for next year’s World Cup especially after their below-par performance in this month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.
But the team’s coaches are finding it difficult to decide on a permanent spot for Sohail because of his flaws as a defender.
Sohail, who has scored a world-record 274 goals, has mostly played as a fullback during his international career.
But there are fears within the national team management that Sohail’s induction in the already fragile deep defense could make matters worse for Pakistan, who have been conceding too many goals because of defensive errors in the recent past.
The team’s coaches are mulling the option of playing Sohail as a right half but that will not be an easy call either. Pakistan already have several experienced players in the half-line that is likely to get a shot in the arm with the return of Waseem Ahmed, a former Pakistan captain and Sohail’s close friend.
Pakistan also have Muhammad Saqlain and Dilawar Hussain — both accomplished players — in the midfield and could find it hard to induct Sohail in it.
There is this option of playing Sohail in bursts during the Asia Cup but that is also not an ideal solution considering the fact that Pakistan can earn a short corner anytime during a match and will have to take it without Sohail if he is in the dug out.
When contacted, Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan told ‘Arab News’ that he and fellow team officials are currently working out a strategy for the Asia Cup and will try their best to make Sohail’s possible return beneficial for the team. Whatever decision is made on his position in the line-up, Sohail seems set for a comeback along with three more senior players — Waseem, Rehan Butt and Salman Akber — for the Asia Cup. Two more rookies — Muhammad Irfan and Haseem Khan — are also in contention for the event.
Irfan should be in easily because he is considered as a reliable ‘dasher’ — the sort of player Pakistan need to consolidate their short corner defense.
Haseem, however, will have to impress the selectors during next week’s trials to earn a place as a genuine centre forward in the squad. The trials will take place at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on April 29.
Pakistan are scheduled to leave for Malaysia on May 4 from Karachi and will then play a couple of practice games against hosts Malaysia and Japan before the start of the Asia Cup.
The Greenshirts have been placed in what is a tough Pool ‘B’ of the Asia Cup along side defending champions India, China and minnows Bangladesh. Top seeds South Korea head Pool A that includes Malaysia, Japan and Oman.
The tournament features eight teams following the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) decision to reject the Asian Hockey Federation’s proposal to promote the third and fourth-placed teams from the AHF Cup together with champions Bangladesh and runners-up Oman.
The top two teams in the groups will qualify for the crossover semifinals.
The champions gain an automatic berth to the 2010 World Cup Finals in New Delhi and the next four teams will go into qualifying tournaments, tentatively set to be held in November in three venues — Lille (France) and Auckland (New Zealand) and Dubai (UAE).
