Sohail wants to break hockey finals jinx

KARACHI: Pakistan’s star drag-flick specialist Sohail Abbas has said that he wanted to break the jinx of not scoring in the all important finals.

‘We played well throughout the event in Salta and played better than New Zealand in the finals but once again luck eluded us,’ he told APP in an in interview on Friday upon his return from Argentina where Pakistan went down 2-4 to Champions Challenge Cup decider.

‘It has always been my wish and dream to win a major title for the country but luck eluded us again,’ he commented. He said the element of luck is very vital in sport.

He said performance of the team was very good but a couple of mistakes late in the second session cost us dearly in the finals.

‘We were clearly the best side and deserved to win but we can not fight against the element of luck.’

‘Pakistan dominated most part of the game but two quick goals by Kiwis changed the course of the match,’ added.

He blamed heavy pitch due to rains and said heavy watering resulted inthe ball coming slowly and he was unable to convert Penalty Corners.

He said out of the seven penalty corner two were taken indirectly and two followed after the ball hit the defenders on foot.

Sohail Abbas, who completed 300 goals during the event, said he was consistent throughout and hit a brace in Pakistan’s 6-3 win over India.

Karachi-born Sohail said Pakistan hockey was improving and it needed more time and exposure to go upward.

‘Coming World Cup in New Delhi next year will be a good test of our strength. I am eager to help Pakistan to reach the semi-final of the World Cup and then it can be anybody’s game,’ he said.

He dispelled the impression that he was not a big match player. ‘I always played to my best for the country without being bothered by comments. It is part and parcel of the game,’ he pointed out.

He said Pakistan’s improvement can be judged from the fact that they handed out big drubbing to arch-rival India.

Sohail said the team was showing an upward trend and needed more time and exposure to improve their ranking.