Former Pakistan hockey Olympian and chief Hanif Khan on Sunday praised Pakistan junior team, who has a 2-1 win over Egypt senior side in the opening match of five-match Test series on Saturday in Cairo.
"We have prolific talent in Pakistan and our junior team has proved that in Egypt by beating the senior side of the hosts. I believe that they have the potential to beat the host in every match of the series," Hanif Khan told PPI.
After a barren first half, skipper Umar Bhutta opened Pakistan's account in the fourth minute of the second half. But, two minutes later, the hosts managed to level the arrears. However, the young visiting side scored their second goal through Muhammad Irfan only two minutes ahead of the final whistle. "Egypt is African Champions and though they may have a low ranking internationally, but certainly they are a tough side for any junior team in the world. So winning against a regular senior national team by a junior side is a big achievement," Hanif explained.
Hanif said that this tournament would boost the morale of the junior team and also inject confidence in them.
"Their confidence would lift after having featured against a senior team at their home-ground. And if our colts win the series, this would certainly lift their morale manifold," he said. Hanif said that Pakistan junior hockey players have great talent and within next few years, the junior players, who will become a part of senior side, would turn the Pakistan hockey team into a world class side.
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