Pakistan hockey team squad leaves for 15-day Europe tour after visa issuance
'We have received our visas and are flying to Holland to give national outfit international exposure ahead of Asia Cup,' Junaid says
ISLAMABAD: A sight of relief prevailed in the 20-men Pakistan hockey team squad led by Umar Bhutta, after the visas on Thursday were issued for the entire contingent for the important 15-day Europe tour, The News reported.
As a result of it, the squad will leave for Holland early Friday morning, as during the European trip they will be play six international matches before the start of the Asia Cup to be held in Jakarta from May 21.
"We have received all our visas and are now flying out to Holland early Friday morning to give the national outfit a much-needed international exposure ahead of the Asia Cup which will also serve as World Cup qualifying round," Khawaja Junaid, the manager designate of the national outfit, said.
The former Olympian called the tour important for the Pakistan hockey future. "With Asia Cup just around the corner, the tour to Europe holds immense importance. Experience against the best European teams is what our top players required," he added.
"Hopefully, the team members will emerge as better players following the six Test matches they are scheduled to play against Holland, Belgium and Spain. These are the best European sides. All these outfits have been busy playing FIH Pro League. The performance and results against the best of teams will give us a true picture of the strength and combinations of the Greenshirts," he believes.
The team is expected to return on May 5 where the second phase of training for the Asia Cup preparations will start from the second week of May.
Goalkeepers: Akmal and Abdullah Ishtiaq
Defenders: Mubbasher Ali; Amad Butt; Mohammad Abdullah; Arbaz Ali; Mohammad Rizwan and Hammad Anjum
Midfielders: Umar Bhutta (captain); Ali Shaan (vice-captain); Ghazzanfer; Moin Shakeel; Abdul Manan and Junaid Manzoor.
Forwards: Abubaker Mehmood; Roman Khan; Rana Waheed; Hanan Shahid; Salman Razak and Ajaz
Manager: Khawaja Junaid. Coach: Siegfried Aikman. Assistant coach: Waseem Ahmad. Video analyst: Nadeem Lodhi.
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