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MELBOURNE: Furious Pakistan coach Hanif Khan rejected Ghana umpire Richmond Attipoe’s decision to penalise Shafqat Rasool and Pakistan twice on one offence, lodging strong protest with jury over the decision.
“It is against the rules and was only meant to appease the hosts. Once Shafqat was sent off and the matter was settled there was no point in awarding penalty corner to Australia. You cannot penalise players and the country twice on one offence. It was a delayed reaction on the part of the umpire. The decision cost Pakistan dearly,” Hanif said.
Pakistan lodged a strong appeal with the committee. “We have lodged a strong protest over the double penalty and delayed second punishment. We have requested the tournament committee to look into the matter as it was something against the rules,” Hanif said.
Chief coach Akhtar Rasool was also furious and said that the outcome was decided by this wrong judgment. “Pakistan had more strikes on the opponents’ goal and played better hockey for most of the time. One bad decision on the part of umpire spoiled all our hard work,” Akhtar said.
Meanwhile, Akhtar fancies his team’s chances against Germany in the quarter-finals of the Champions Trophy, saying another all-out performance could see Pakistan playing the semi-finals. Akhtar said Pakistan’s performance had been on the up ever since the team arrived in Australia. “If the team continues to play like this, Pakistan will go on to beat Germany on Thursday.”
A victory against Germany would ensure Pakistan a place in the next Champions Trophy.
“I think players have shown improvement and the last two matches they played were exceptional.”
During Pakistan and Australia match, the mercury was below 10 degree centigrade. “It was too cold here and Pakistan players are not used to playing in such conditions. Even then they gave their best and totally dominated the opening half. With a bit of improved temperature, I am hopeful these players would be seen even playing better hockey.”
“It is against the rules and was only meant to appease the hosts. Once Shafqat was sent off and the matter was settled there was no point in awarding penalty corner to Australia. You cannot penalise players and the country twice on one offence. It was a delayed reaction on the part of the umpire. The decision cost Pakistan dearly,” Hanif said.
Pakistan lodged a strong appeal with the committee. “We have lodged a strong protest over the double penalty and delayed second punishment. We have requested the tournament committee to look into the matter as it was something against the rules,” Hanif said.
Chief coach Akhtar Rasool was also furious and said that the outcome was decided by this wrong judgment. “Pakistan had more strikes on the opponents’ goal and played better hockey for most of the time. One bad decision on the part of umpire spoiled all our hard work,” Akhtar said.
Meanwhile, Akhtar fancies his team’s chances against Germany in the quarter-finals of the Champions Trophy, saying another all-out performance could see Pakistan playing the semi-finals. Akhtar said Pakistan’s performance had been on the up ever since the team arrived in Australia. “If the team continues to play like this, Pakistan will go on to beat Germany on Thursday.”
A victory against Germany would ensure Pakistan a place in the next Champions Trophy.
“I think players have shown improvement and the last two matches they played were exceptional.”
During Pakistan and Australia match, the mercury was below 10 degree centigrade. “It was too cold here and Pakistan players are not used to playing in such conditions. Even then they gave their best and totally dominated the opening half. With a bit of improved temperature, I am hopeful these players would be seen even playing better hockey.”
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