Blame it on Pakistan’s downfall in hockey or the game shedding its fanbase.
For the gamers nonetheless nothing adjustments as soon as the ball begins rolling on the pitch. The ‘win-at-any-cost’ mindset takes priority whereas taking part in the archrivals.
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Asian Champions Trophy: India face Pakistan
Nobody aside from Rehan Butt, amongst these a part of the large sport on Wednesday, would know what it means, for he has been a part of lots of these encounters in the course of the early 2000s, which was digital battles.
These days, Rehan is a part of Pakistan’s teaching set-up, aiding head coach Muhammad Saqlain.
“At any time when India and Pakistan have performed, you do not take a look at the groups on paper,” mentioned Rehan, speaking to Timesofindia.com on the workforce resort in Chennai.
“At any time when (there may be) an India-Pakistan match, teaching goes into the dustbin and feelings & enthusiasm work.”
Over the past decade, which noticed Pakistan hitting a brand new low by failing to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup, India have bridged the hole in head-to-head between the 2 groups.
In 178 matches, in keeping with the statistics accessible, India’s wins have elevated to 64, whereas Pakistan stay forward at 82.
Together with their Asian Video games 2018 face-off, there have been 5 matches performed between the 2 neighbours within the final 5 years, with India successful 4 and one ending in a draw.
However Rehan believes that the present bunch of boys, most of whom have not performed even 20 senior internationals, have ignited some hope again residence.
“Until now, with the little quantity of expertise these boys have, the workforce has performed excellently. Many are saying that after a very long time Pakistan’s attacking hockey is on present,” the previous Pakistan striker informed Timesofindia.com in Chennai.
“These boys don’t have anything to lose within the match towards India, they’ll solely study from it; and in the event that they play in keeping with their potential, they’ll make issues tough for the Indian workforce,” he believes.
His message to the Pakistan workforce may be very easy.
“I used to play towards India with a free thoughts. So I’ll inform the boys the identical factor: simply play hockey and benefit from the crowd and the environment. Such paradises are tough to seek out. You’ll be able to have a full crowd in a cricket sport, however not typically in hockey,” Rehan additional informed TimesofIndia.com.
So far as Pakistan’s probabilities of qualifying for the semifinals are involved, an upset win over India will take them via to the last-four stage, but when they lose, the margin of defeat and leads to the opposite two matches on the final day of the league section ( South Korea vs Malaysia and Japan vs China) will decide their destiny.
The highest 4 groups among the many six competing nations progress to the semifinals. Pakistan are quantity 4 after taking part in 4 matches, whereas present table-toppers and hosts India have already booked a spot within the semis.