INCHEON - After a superb show in the league rounds, Pakistan's stern test starts today (Tuesday) evening under lights when they clash Malaysia in the second semifinal of Asian Games Hockey Tournament here at the Seonhak Stadium.
Earlier in the first semifinals, India will be pitted against the hosts South Korea, which was contended with fourth position in Guangzhou Asian Games four years ago. Pakistan defeated Malaysia in the previous Asiad final in China 2-0 to win their first gold after 20 years. World hockey's highest scorer Sohail Abbas and Rehan Butt scored the match winning goals in Guangzhou.
Six-time champion Pakistan not only needed to make the finals, but also to successfully defend their title to assure direct entry to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics held in Brazil. "Defending our title and making next Olympics are main targets. We are two matches away from our mission and team accomplishes it by Thursday," confident Chief Coach Shahnaz Shaikh said after team's training session in a rain.
"We have few secret weapons for the big matches and we will put it on display it in the next two games," former Olympic forward said in a meaningful style.
He said it was upsetting and disappointing, when Pakistan which launched the global event, failed the World Cup for the first time in 42 years held in the Hague, Netherlands in July. "Heartening factor of our league matches was that our both batteries are working well. Our penalty corner conversion was good and forwards contributed well," he said.
Out of 26 goals, Pakistan team scored 14 in the league rounds via field efforts while 12 came from penalty corners. Pakistan captain M Imran is tournament's highest scorer with half a dozen goals to his credit. However, he said he had warned his team not to take things lightly any cost because these matches are now do-or-die ties.
He said Pakistan hockey team was upbeat in their hunt to successfully defend their gold. "We all are aware of the importance of our next two big matches and are well equipped to handle the pressure. We have had always enjoyed superiority over Malaysians and looking forward to maintain it with some new tactical game.
"Pressure is always there in big games like semi-final, but my team is ready for the task ahead. I hope the team and I will carry forward the momentum which we have shown in the league rounds," he added.
Olympian Samiullah Khan expects Pakistan to progress to the finals of the Asian Games saying it is the coach Shahnaz Sheikh's efforts which has bought the green-shirts close to glory.
Samiullah said: “Pakistan has shown a tremendous performance up till now and I hope they will go all out in the semi-final against Malaysia on September 30 (Tuesday). "Sheikh did a lot hard work on the players though he was given enough time to prepare for the mega event but the camps really paid well."
He said the players should go with big heart and play attacking game in the semi-final. "The defense and goalkeeper should remain alert in the semi-final against Malaysia," he pointed.
Defending champion Pakistan faced no real threat to reach the last four stages with a big wins against Sri Lanka and Oman and overpowered China and India to top group. It was encouraging to see that Pakistan forwards duo of Umar Bhutta, M Waqas played brilliantly upfront and got supports from spearhead Haseem Khan, Shakeel Abbasi, M Rizwan Senior and with teenager M Dilber. The team's penalty corner specialist M Imran and M Irfan would be key factors in the match against Malaysia.
Like Pakistan, Malaysian team also plays attacking hockey with brilliant stick work. Experienced M Razie Abdul Rahman would be threat with the penalty corners as fired brace against Japan in their last league.
The other unbeaten of the tournament formidable South Korea enjoyed slight edge over India as they play before home crowd and conditions.