Australia's loss to Spain is the first shock of the tournament. Aussies are playing against South Korea today, and Pakistan will play its thrid game against Spain tomorrow.
Insha’allah Pakistan will win against Spain. I hope they sort their defensive problems out though.
india on last seed.
Australia draws with S Korea in cautious play at Azlan Shah Cup
"KUALA LUMPUR: Australia drew 1-1 with South Korea in cautious play Saturday at field hockey’s Azlan Shah Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here. Neither side showed the form that has made them world hockey powers as play for most of the game was confined to the center of the pitch. “Both the teams lost their opening matches thus the cautious approach was understandable,” said Australian assistant coach Colin Bell.
“Considering that both teams did not look sharp I feel that the draw was a fair result as it would have been gross injustice if either side had won the match.” Korea, who had lost to Pakistan 4-2 in their opening match on Thursday lacked the speed and aggression normally associated with their game while the Aussies, who also lost their first match 3-1 to Spain, were guilty of losing possession time and again.
With both teams concentrating of defence rather than their attack, the match only came to alive in the last 10 minutes when Australia’s Troy Elder sent a low drag flick into the corner of the South Korean goal (61st minute) giving Korean keeper Ko Dong Sik no chance of a save. But rather than go in for the kill, Australia were content with preserving their lead, giving Korea the initiative to attack.
Lee Jung Seon needed no second invitation to hammer home the equalizer on a penalty corner in the 64th minute. But moments later Korea’s Seo Jong Ho, facing an open goal, sent his push wide. **“We were unlucky, especially in the closing stages of the match, but at the same time are grateful for the one point,” ** said Korean manager Jeon Jae Hong.
UPDATE: League Standings
Rank Teams P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. Germany 2 2 0 0 7 3 +4 6
2. Pakistan 2 2 0 0 7 4 +3 6
3. Spain 2 1 1 0 6 4 +2 4
4. Malaysia 2 0 1 1 5 7 -2 1
5. South Korea 2 0 1 1 3 5 -2 1
6. Australia 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
7. India 2 0 0 2 3 6 -3 0
Anybody know what Pakistan has to do to qualify for the Olympics?
Does it have anything to do with this tournament...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by elahi: *
Anybody know what Pakistan has to do to qualify for the Olympics?
Does it have anything to do with this tournament...
[/QUOTE]
Pakistan is suppose to play for Olympic qualifying tournament in Madrid, Spain from March 2nd to 12th '04.
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup held every year. With the title drought(Olympic, Champions Trophy, World Cup and Asia Cup) Green Shirts have had for over four years, this tournament is a test under new Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans.
[thumb=E]ro10122_7491652.JPG[/thumb]
That's him
Hopefully, under Oltmans guidance, Pakistan will end its title drought.
Azlan Shah: No love lost as Dutchmen plot each other’s downfall
Two Dutch Olympic Games gold medal winning coaches will lead two foreign teams in the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament.
**Coach Roelant Oltmans, who guided Holland to the 1996 Atlanta Games gold medal has been hired as Pakistan’s coach last month while his compatriot Maurits Hendriks, who helped the Dutch team retained the gold in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, heads the Spanish team. **
Oltmans and Hendriks were hired last year to win medals in the Athens Olympics in August.
Defending champions Pakistan will face Spain, the Champions Challenge champions today. It would be interesting to see which Dutch coach will triumph today.
Pakistan are on a roll under the guidance of Oltmans in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as they won both their matches beating Busan Asian Games gold medallist South Korea 4-2 and Asia Cup winners India 3-2.
Spain also showed their mettle under Hendriks when they stunned World Cup runners-up Australia 3-1 on Friday. Earlier they drew 3-3 with Malaysia in their opening match.
Hendriks, who started training Spain last June, said Oltmans is a good friend but they will try to outdo each other in today’s clash.
**“Oltmans is my senior and is a more experienced coach but to me what is important is the results in tomorrow’s (today) match. Pakistan are the favourites to reach the final as they have shown improvement under the guidance of Oltmans,” said Hendriks, who guided Spain to win the Champions Challenge in South Africa last July. **
He also helped Spain finish runners-up in the European championships last September.
Hendriks added that they have to watch out for two Pakistani players – forward Shabbir Hussain and defender Sohail Abbas.
**“Shabbir is exceptionally good with his stick work inside the 25m area while Sohail is deadly with his penalty corner flicks,” said Hendriks. **
Sohail scored all three goals against India through penalty corners.
Oltmans, who also helped Holland to win the 1998 Utrecht World Cup, said the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is his first assignment as the national coach of Pakistan.
**“I only handle the team for three weeks and this is important for me to see what are the changes we need to do for the Olympics. We will still maintain the Asian style of play and can expect a strong fight from Spain who play a fast attacking game.
“It will be good if we can get the better of them as they are very fast with their counter attacks,” said Oltmans. **
Pakistan are really serious in winning the Olympic gold as they also have the services of three other Dutch experts. Ronald Tansen is the goalkeepers’ coach, Derk Verder is the physiotherapist and Roberto Tolentino is the video analyst.
**Pakistan beat Spain 4-2 **
Interestingly Pakistan didnt get a single penalty corner. Kashif Jawad scored a hat-trick :k:
Pakistan on a roll 
Other results:
Korea 1 Germany 2
Malaysia 2 India 2.
Table:
Teams P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Pakistan 3 3 0 0 11 6 +5 9
Germany 3 3 0 0 9 4 +5 9
Spain 3 1 1 1 8 8 0 4
Malaysia 3 0 2 1 7 9 -2 2
Australia 2 0 1 1 2 4 -2 1
Korea 3 0 1 2 4 7 -3 1
India 3 0 1 2 5 8 -3 1
Yeshhhh
Congrats Pakistan & Guppies.
Well Done!
[thumb=E]greenshirts10122_4193442.JPG[/thumb]
Well, it’s good to learned in the clash of two top dutch coaches, Pakistan got the upper hand. Congrats to Kashif Jawad. I remember he made his debut in Champions Trophy 99 as a 18-year teenager. He worked his way out, and since then he has been great. :k:
Pakistan plays against Germany tomorrow. And in that game, Pakistan does need to get penalty corners. Germany is more tactical and deciplined team.
Pakistan against Germany is going to be the match of the tournament.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
Pakistan against Germany is going to be the match of the tournament.
[/QUOTE]
when is it?
Today, it is in progress now.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ehsan: *
Today, it is in progress now.
[/QUOTE]
oh, wats the score?
ehsan bahi what’s the score plz keep updating.