By Muzammil Asif
NETHERLANDS: Pakistan faced three back to back defeats with the latest against fourth ranked Netherlands by 4-0 in the last edition of Champions Trophy in Breda on Tuesday.
Pakistan earlier lost against arch-rivals India 4-0 in opener of the tournament to give a disappointed start to their campaign followed by Australia who beat them 2-1 to make their position in serious danger.
Despite appointing experienced Goal-keeper Imran Butt to make difference in their keeping department, Pakistan failed to accomplish what they were aiming with such a weak defence and striking abilities. At last moments in the match against India, they were helpless with their forwards that forced them to take one extra man removing the goal-keeper.
However, the World’s fourth ranked Dutch team after losing 2-1 against Argentina on Saturday, topped the leaders table with the convincing win over four time World Champions, Pakistan.
In eighth match of the round robin format, Robbert Kemperman and Valentin Verga netted two goals ahead of the half-time to get access over Pakistan before Thijs van Dam and Mirco Pruijser completed a comprehensive win for Oranje, scoring two goals in the fourth Quarter.
As many as six teams including hosts Netherlands, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, India and Pakistan, are participating in this year’s tournament, which is the last edition of the Champions Trophy. The tournament will then be replaced by the Hockey Pro League (HPL) in 2019.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan have three Champions Trophy title under its belt including the Inaugural edition of the showpiece in 1978. The other were in 1980 and 1994.
However, green shirts have finished as runners-up seven times in 1983, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, and 2014.
Pakistan’s chances to remain in this tournament are very few but the team can stage themselves in a qualifying position only if they come up strong against Argentina and Belgium on June 28 and 29 respectively.
