ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s coach Roelant Oltmans exudes confidence in Pakistan’s potential to secure a spot in the final of the Azlan Shah Cup.
In a crucial encounter today against Japan, both teams enter the match unbeaten, setting the stage for an intense battle. Speaking with The News from Ipoh, Malaysia, Oltmans commended his team’s resilience, particularly noting their impressive performance against Malaysia despite the challenges of travel fatigue.
“It’s always tough to face a top-tier team after a long journey where the boys barely slept. Nevertheless, they delivered against Malaysia right off the bat, securing a thrilling victory against the hosts. As we settle in, I anticipate an even stronger showing and improved rhythm against Japan, surpassing our performance against Korea,” Oltmans remarked.
Acknowledging Japan’s strength as evidenced by their victories against Korea and New Zealand, Oltmans anticipates an exciting match on Tuesday.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s prospects for reaching the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final after several years, Oltmans expressed optimism that securing two wins out of the remaining three matches would greatly enhance their chances.
“Our strategy moving forward is to aim for victory in every match. If we manage to win two of the remaining three matches, our path to the final becomes brighter,” he explained.
Praising the team’s remarkable performance against Korea, Oltmans emphasized the importance of managing player fatigue, as evidenced by his decision to signal the team to ease off during the match.
“It’s crucial to preserve players’ physical condition, especially when facing back-to-back matches without sufficient rest. With a comfortable lead against Korea, conserving energy was paramount. I’m confident that after a day of rest, the players will be in peak physical condition for the Japan match,” Oltmans stated.
Attributing the team’s success to collective effort rather than individual brilliance, Oltmans emphasized the cohesive performance that has propelled Pakistan to the top of the table.
“As a team, every player has contributed significantly, resulting in our current position at the top of the table. The upcoming match against Japan will determine the table leaders,” he concluded.
