JOHOR BARU: The Pakistan junior team, often overshadowed by their arch-rivals India in recent times, are captivating fans with their exciting brand of hockey at the ongoing Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC).
The Green Shirts held India to a 3-3 draw and then secured a 3-2 victory against New Zealand in Group A. Their next challenge is against Malaysia on Tuesday at the Taman Daya Stadium here.
What's their secret to success?
Pakistan dared to field many juniors in the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou but still managed to upset Malaysia 5-2 win in the fifth-place playoff.
In the SoJC, Pakistan has eight players with Asian Games experience.
Coach Roelant Oltmans said Pakistan hockey is in the process of rebuilding and regaining their high standing in the sport.
"These eight players are here at the SoJC. It was a good decision to let them play against senior players in Hangzhou.
"We've been successful with penalty corners in our opening matches here, but we'll need to do even better against Malaysia, as the hosts have shown good form.
"Malaysia are hardworking and swift in attack, so we must convert penalty corners to earn full points and advance to the semi-finals," said Oltmans.
In contrast, none of the Indian junior team members in the SoJC played in the Asian Games recently.
India coach C. R. Kumar shed light on the challenges junior players face breaking into the senior ranks.
"It's very difficult for junior players to break into the senior ranks because our senior team players are professionals in their departments.
"For a junior to break in, a senior player has to retire, and only then there is a chance.
"However, many of my players are already knocking on the senior team's door. They might get their chance after the Paris Olympics next year," said Kumar.
Kumar also made an observation about the condition of the main pitch at the Taman Daya Stadium.
"The left goalmouth (from the grandstand) penalty corner stopping spot is very bumpy, and many teams have struggled to make a clean stop there. "Something needs to be done quickly about the carpet around that area to give every team a fair chance of scoring from penalty corners," he added.
Perhaps the officials responsible for the pitch could take action to level the problematic spot before the tournament progresses to the knockout stage.