China capable of springing surprise on Pakistan

KARACHI - Pakistan should avoid falling into the trap of overconfidence when they meet China in four international hockey test series starting at Hockey Club of Pakistan on December 21. Other tests of the series would be played on December 22 at the Hockey Club of Pakistan, December 24 Faisalabad and December 26 Lahore. When the Chinese step on the astro-turf of HCP on December 21 afternoon to take on the current Asian Games Champion, their memory will go 29 years back when in the month of March of 1982 they made their international debut at the stadium in the inaugural Asia Cup in which it took proud third place behind Pakistan and India. The host should not take the visitors lightly and should remember the shock 2-1 defeat the Chinese team had handed them in Doha Asian Games to win a silver medal to give red face to Pakistan the winner of a number of Olympics, World Cup and Asian Games .Pakistan finished a spot behind the Chinese in the final medal table with a bronze. Result at Doha was just the repeat of the result South Korea achieved against hockey giants India and Pakistan in Seoul Asian games in 1988.The Koreans beat India in semi final and beat Pakistan in the final to end the long reign of supremacy of the sub continental teams at Asian Games level. Victory at Doha was not a freak one for China it was achieved with confidence and authority as Pakistan team managed by Shahnaz Shaikh failed to rise to tackle the super fit and fast moving Chinese who looked good in playing drills. That was not the only defeat that China handed to Pakistan, the Chinese also beat Pakistan at Ioph (Malaysia) in Azlan Shah Hockey 3-2 and when Pakistanis toured China, the host won two matches. According to statistics compiled by Mazher Jabalpuri, the Pakistani hockey historian and statistician who has written fifteen books on hockey ,Pakistan and China so far have played 28 international matches out of which Pakistan won 19, five were drawn and China won four .Pakistan have scored 119 goals while conceded thirty three in those matches. Though China entered international hockey thirty four years after host Pakistan made its debut in London Olympics in 1948 but the team from the land of Jiangshan (land of rivers and mountains) has developed good reputation at Asian level. China has matured quickly at international level instead of struggling for years to come up to the top. It was possible only because of the scientific system that the dedicated Chinese sports authorities follow in grooming their teams. At world sports China is slowly becoming a major threat to countries like USA, Germany, and Russia particularly at Olympics. In Asian Games China had already established its firm superiority over other nations including South Korea which is the only country that could challenge its mighty neighbours. In the meantime work is on to renovate and repair the HCP and to make it worthy for hosting the first ever international hockey match there in seven years. The astro turf has been washed and mud from selected areas of the turf has been removed. The broken goal posts are being replaced. The team dug out and other areas in the stadium is also being repaired and renovated. Efforts are on to stitch a new piece of turf on a big crack which has developed on the eastern side of the ground just front of the scoring circle. Arrangements were also being made to arrange a grand reception for the Chinese team which arrive here on December 19.The team will hold a training session on December 20 afternoon before the first test push off at 2 PM on December 21.