ISLAMABAD: As the FIH World Cup approaches, set to commence in less than ten days, Pakistan's coaching staff, led by Bob Johan Veldhof, has made it clear that their primary focus lies not on the World Cup but on the upcoming Asian Games. Veldhof emphasized that creating a competitive squad for such a significant event requires time and meticulous planning, which cannot be rushed.
Pakistan, a former powerhouse in the sport with four World Cup titles to its name, finds itself in a challenging pool ‘D’ alongside formidable opponents England, India, and Wales. The tournament, which will feature 16 teams, is co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30. The Green-shirts, captained by Abu Bakr Mahmood, are scheduled to depart for the Netherlands on August 9.
Their World Cup journey begins with a match against England on August 15 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, followed by a clash with Wales on August 17, and a highly anticipated encounter against arch-rivals India on August 19. Veldhof, who recently joined the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) alongside his coaching team, including assistant coaches Christopher Bowen and Adnan Zakir, acknowledged the challenges of preparing adequately in such a short timeframe.
In a candid discussion with Dawn, Veldhof stated, “Frankly speaking, the World Cup is not our [main] target; in one month’s training we cannot do wonders in the global event. [Rather] our main focus will be on this year’s Asian Games [to be hosted by Japan in September-October].” He expressed optimism about the direction in which Pakistan hockey is heading, noting the team’s recent improvement after overcoming a streak of 26 consecutive defeats in international matches.
“We won our last three matches against South Korea, which indicates progress,” Veldhof remarked, adding that his coaching staff has devised a two-year plan aimed at elevating Pakistan to the ranks of the world’s top eight teams. He praised the PHF for taking significant steps to foster improvement in the sport, highlighting a forthcoming mega school hockey program intended to provide equipment to thousands of schools across Pakistan.
Assistant coach Bowen echoed the importance of grassroots development, stating that enhancing club and school hockey is crucial for expanding the talent pool. “We are doing our best and hope to achieve good results…we are building a [solid] team,” he affirmed. Adnan, who has lived in Germany for many years, emphasized that while Pakistan possesses abundant talent, it must be nurtured with modern training methods. “Talent can win you games, but not [the] championship,” he asserted, underscoring the need for a cohesive team to secure victories in major tournaments.
The coaching staff acknowledged the rich history of Pakistan hockey but stressed the necessity of looking forward. They lamented that the country had fallen behind in modernizing the sport, particularly since the 1990s when it ceased to produce iconic players. “Unfortunately, after the 1990s, Pakistan no longer produced heroes as people still discussed [the country’s] former players,” they noted.
In a surprising revelation, Bowen hinted at the potential of certain players in Pakistan’s World Cup squad, suggesting that at least two individuals possess the capability to astonish both opponents and fans alike. “We don’t want to disclose their names at this stage. But surely we have two best players, who have the potential to become heroes of Pakistan hockey in future,” he said.
As the coaches continue to implement modern strategies focusing on player skills, tactics, and fitness, they remain committed to improving the team’s defensive capabilities, which have been a concern. Veldhof acknowledged the challenges posed by their defense, which conceded 79 goals in 16 matches during the 2025-26 FIH Pro League, and reiterated that rectifying these issues would require time and consistent effort.
All three coaches concurred that for Pakistan hockey to achieve significant progress, the PHF must maintain consistent policies and strategies moving forward.
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