Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: A 10-man Pakistan squad left Islamabad Airport for Salalah, Oman to participate in the Five-A-Side World Cup Qualifier fixture, as Rana Abdul Waheed will lead green shirts in the 11-nation international hockey showpiece.
Head coach Olympian Wasim Feroze, and manager Major Mohammad Shahnawaz Khan. Secretary General Haider Hussain of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Rana Mohammad Shafiq from the National Hockey Selection Committee, Mohammad Asif, Senior Vice President of the Islamabad Hockey Association, and Mirza Naveed Baig sent-off national squad at Islamabad International Airport.
The upcoming five-sided Asia Cup will feature 11 participating teams, including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and the host country Oman. Pakistan is scheduled to play their inaugural match against Japan on August 29.
Captain Rana Abdul Waheed said:
“Pakistan Hockey Federation selected the best players for the competition on merit, as we all going abroad with determination to secure victory. I appeal to the whole nation for prayers, expressing confidence that they will return to Pakistan triumphant.”
Olympian Waseem Feroze, the Head Coach of the Pakistan Five-Aided Hockey Team and a 1994 World Cup Gold Medalist, emphasized that Five-Aided Hockey demands swift strategy due to its fast-paced format. He praised the excellent form of the Pakistan team members. He expressed his belief that they will perform effectively, ultimately achieving their target of qualifying for the five-a-side world cup.
Names of players: Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Ali Raza, Mohammad Abdullah, Ehtsham Aslam, Mohammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Strikers: Arshad Liaquat, Zakaria Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf, Abdul Rehman, and Abdul Wahab.
