Zaman Applauds Players After ‘Remarkable Comeback’ Against France

LAHORE: Tahir Zaman, the head coach for the Pakistan men’s hockey team, stated on Friday that their thrilling triumph against France in the FIH Nations Cup semi-final has dispelled the notion that they struggle in penalty shootouts.

The green shirts faced a painful setback during the Asian Champions Trophy semi-final against China last year, failing to score any penalties during the shootout, which led to a 2-0 defeat.

Concerns arose due to their repeated failures in penalty shootouts, but Coach Zaman asserted that their recent victory over France has alleviated these concerns.

“We have put an end to the shootout concern that has been present for the past few tournaments,” Zaman commented.

Reflecting on the team’s overall performance in the crucial match, Zaman commended their collective effort and specifically acknowledged their resilience in overcoming a 2-0 deficit.

“Our players demonstrated a significant comeback today, defeating France in a shootout to secure a spot in the final. Credit to them for their excellent teamwork; they persevered despite trailing by two goals and demonstrated the enduring value of Pakistan hockey,” Zaman noted.

“The team displayed excellent spirit, and the players learned valuable lessons,” he added.

Tahir Zaman voiced his anticipation for winning the FIH Nations Cup final against New Zealand and subsequently qualifying for the FIH Pro League. He also requested the nation’s prayers for their success.

“Tomorrow’s match holds immense importance for us as it is the final against New Zealand. With Allah’s grace, we have the opportunity to qualify for the Pro League with a victory,” Zaman stated.

“Given the nationwide support and prayers we received today, I am hopeful that the nation will continue to pray for our success in the final. We are committed to working diligently to bring pride to Pakistan with a win tomorrow,” he concluded.