2024: Another year of shortcomings for Pakistan in Hockey, Football

apostas lotomania ,آن لائن لاٹری ,لوٹومینیا اکومولڈا , اسکریچ کارڈ کی پیش گوئی ,بڑا برا بھیڑیا۔ apostas lotomania ,آن لائن لاٹری ,لوٹومینیا اکومولڈا , اسکریچ کارڈ کی پیش گوئی ,بڑا برا بھیڑیا۔ Once considered the powerhouse of field hockey, having won the gold medal in Olympics thrice, men’s World Cup for a record four times, eight gold medals in the Asian Games, three Hockey Champions Trophy titles, Pakistan failed to reclaim their lost glory in the national sport another year as 2024 is just about to end.The disappointments chased Pakistan in football too, as both their men's and women's national teams failed to maintain their slow but important progress towards the revival. This year, where the green shirts fell short of several morale-boosting victories and uplifting achievements, there were a few to cheer up.Dark clouds continue to loom over national sport As we are just few days away from entering 2025, let’s reflect on the national men’s senior and junior team’s progress in six major events, including the Paris Olympics Qualifiers this year. Yet another absence from the OlympicsPakistan hockey team, once the reckoning force, failed to qualify for the Olympics for third time in a row. The news came in early January, that already gave a shaky start to the year for hockey team.In the qualifying event, held in Muscat, Oman, the green shirts suffered a gruelling 3-2 defeat against New Zealand in the third/fourth place match despite leading the proceedings 2-1 until the 51st minute. Pakistan hockey players after facing defeat against Germany in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics Qualifiers in Muscat, Oman. Screengrab via YouTube/Oman Sports TVThe Kiwis staged a late comeback to stun the three-time champions 3-2 and went on to join Great Britain and Germany in the extravaganza, held in July-August.No Pakistan in inaugural Hockey 5s World CupAfter another Olympics heartbreak, Pakistan set their eyes on the inaugural edition of the Hockey 5s World Cup, but the qualifying round had nothing to cheer for the green shirts.The national team had a flying start to their campaign in qualifiers by outclassing Nigeria 11-5 in their first match. Their momentum was soon quashed when they took on former world champions Netherlands where they went down 5-3. Pakistan hockey team pose for a photo after winning Challengers Trophy. — Facebook/@PHFOfficial/FileDespite suffering a defeat, Pakistan only needed a draw in their final Pool A fixture against Poland but the green shirts failed to grab the opportunity and succumbed to a gut-wrenching 8-7 defeat.The only consolation Pakistan got from the event was the Challengers Trophy – awarded to a team that finished ninth. The national team clinched the title by thwarting Switzerland 10-1.Sultan Azlan Shah Cup glimmers a ray of hopeFollowing back-to-back setbacks at the start of the year, Pakistan partook in the historic Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May. The national team delivered a comparatively better performance in the six-team tournament as they remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, defeating Malaysia, Korea and Canada, while settling for draw against Japan and New Zealand.Their unbeaten run helped them qualify for the final of the tournament for the first time in 13 years alongside Japan, who also remained undefeated at the initial stage.The two sides went hard at each other in the high-stakes clash and remained inseparable after the regulation time, with the scoreline reading 2-2.The enthralling contest thus had to be decided on the penalty shootout, which saw Japan edging them 4-1 and claiming their maiden title. Pakistan players look dejected after losing the final against Japan during the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup on May 11, 2024. — XDespite ending up on the losing side, the national men’s hockey team was felicitated by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, who announced Rs.1 million for each player for their impressive performances throughout the tournament.FIH Nations Cup marks another near-miss for PakistanThe national men’s team participated in their fourth tournament of the year, FIH Nations Cup in May-June, and displayed laudable resilience in the nine-team tournament despite players not getting their dailies. The green shirts started their campaign with a hard-fought 4-4 draw against Malaysia before securing a crushing 8-1 victory over Canada to boost their chances to qualify for the semi-final. Pakistan hockey team in action during match against Canada. — Facebook/PakistanHockeyTeamPakistan then suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat at the hands of France in their final group match. The defeat, however, did not rule them out from the semi-finals as they managed to secure second position with four points in three matches.The national team then faced New Zealand, who stormed into the final four by winning all of their group-stage matches, and put on a commendable fight against the in-form side.The outcome of the match, however, did not come in Pakistan’s favour as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat and crashed out of the title race.The green shirts had another chance for consolation as they locked horns with South Africa in the third-place playoff.But once again, the national team coped a near miss as they were beaten 4-3 in the fixture and thus, lost the fight for a bronze medal.Shocking exit from Asian Champions TrophyThe national team then appeared in another highlighted tournament, Asian Champions Trophy, held in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, China in September. Pakistan had a quiet start to their campaign as they settled for back-to-back stalemates against Malaysia and Korea.The green shirts finally opened their account with a narrow 2-1 victory before crushing China by the scoreline of 5-1 and qualified for the semi-finals.But, before the knockout match, Pakistan locked horns with arch-rivals India in their final group-stage match. Pakistan team celebrates scoring a goal during Asian Champions Trophy match against China on September 12, 2024. — Asian Hockey Federation/FacebookThe high-octane clash served as a massive dent to Pakistan’s campaign as they suffered their first defeat in the tournament, losing 2-1 to their arch-rivals, who finished at the top of the table with 15 points, followed by the green shirts with eight points.Pakistan then locked horns with China, whom they had outclassed in the group-stage of the tournament. But the national team failed to maintain their dominance over neighbours, who stunned them on penalties to join eventual champions India in the final.The green shirts then took on Korea in the third-place playoff but once again ended up on the losing side and settled for a fourth-placed finish in the six-team tournament.Junior team promises bright future during Asia CupJust like the previous year, Pakistan’s Junior men’s team glimmered a ray of hope for the nation in national sport, thanks to their spirited campaign at the Junior Asia Cup, which saw them reaching the final. Pakistan's Junior Hockey team claims silver medal at Junior Asia Cup 2024 on December 4, 2024. — X/Asian Hockey Federation In the tournament, featuring 10 teams, divided into two groups, Pakistan showcased utter dominance as they registered thumping victories over Malaysia, China, Oman and Bangladesh to storm into the semi-final as unbeaten.The green shirts locked horns with Japan in the semi-final and secured a hard-fought 4-2 victory to qualify for the final of the tournament for the second consecutive time and was later joined by the arch-rivals India, who were defending the title.The fierce rivals and the only two unbeaten teams in the tournament went hard at each other in the high-stake clash which was evenly poised at 3-3 after the third quarter.But the holders completely outclassed Pakistan in the fourth and decisive quarter, scoring two goals, through Araijeet Singh Hundal, which turned out to be the difference in their scorelines.It was India’s third consecutive men’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup title, while their second straight victory over fierce rivals Pakistan in the final. India had also defeated Pakistan in the final of the previous edition of the tournament.2024 further dents Pakistan’s hopes of football revivalWhile 2022 was a sigh of relief for football fans in Pakistan as the FIFA lifted the ban on the country and restored its international status, 2023 featured national men’s team’s historic triumph in the World Cup Qualifiers and reached the second round of the event for the first time. 2024, however, proved to be a disappointing year for the nation in the sport as they failed to continue their slow but crucial progress towards the revival.Pakistan fail to qualify for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026Pakistan resumed their journey in the qualifiers with a home leg against Jordan but failed to change their fortunes as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat. The national team then toured Jordan for the second leg and suffered an even gruelling defeat as they lost 7-0.Pakistan played their fifth match of the event against Saudi Arabia, a side which had upset eventual champions Argentina in the previous edition of the World Cup. The green shirts displayed remarkable resilience against the strong opposition but still ended up losing 3-0. Pakistan and Tajikistan players in action during FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers on June 11, 2024. — PFFThe national team finally played their last qualifying event’s match away at Tajikistan and suffered an alike outcome – a 3-0 defeat.A spirited SAFF U17 Men’s Championship campaignThe only positive Pakistan had this year in football was their U17 men’s team’s spirited campaign at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U17 Championship, where they stormed into the semi-finals.Pakistan, however, had a contrasting start to their campaign as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nepal in the campaign opener. Pakistan players celebrate scoring a goal during SAFF U17 Championship final against Bangladesh on September 28, 2024. — PFFUnfazed by a disappointing start, the green shirts delivered a gutsy performance in a three-all stalemate against home side Bhutan.The green shirts eventually tasted their first triumph when they routed Sri Lanka 5-1 and qualified for the knockout stage.Pakistan had a disappointing end to their campaign as they suffered a narrow 8-7 defeat on penalties in the semi-final against Bangladesh, which ended at 2-2 after the regulation time.Women team’s flop show at SAFF ChampionshipPakistan women’s football team participated in only one major tournament this year – SAFF Women’s Championship, played from October 17 to 30 in Nepal.The national team had a lacklustre campaign in the seven-team tournament, which kicked off with a 5-2 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India. Pakistan women's football team poses for a picture ahead of SAFF Women's Championship match against Bangladesh on October 20, 2024. — PFFThe green shirts then settled for a 1-1 draw in their final group stage match against eventual champions Bangladesh and crashed out of the tournament after failing to secure a top-two finish in a three-team group.A come-from-behind draw against Saudi ArabiaJust over a month after their forgetful SAFF Women’s Championship campaign, the national team headed to Doha, Qatar to play an international friendly match against Saudi Arabia.Despite being the odds against them, the green shirts managed to pull off a sensational 1-1 draw.Saudi Arabia took an early 1-0 lead in the first half through Tala Al-Ghamdi and their dominance persisted until the 88th minute, which saw Suha Hirani nailing a perfect corner, curling the ball directly into the post and sealing a thrilling outcome for her side.Key TakeawaysAlthough, this year ended in disappointment for Pakistan in the two sports, the nation can surely achieve its lost glory in Hockey and can amass new heights in Football.There were some coinciding factors behind the nation’s below-par performances in both disciplines, which was lack of recognition and governmental support, whether it was the pending salaries of the national hockey team players or the visa dilemma for the football side.Thus, it is safe to say that if the federal government takes adequate measure in revitalizing Pakistan’s stature in the sports, the country possesses enough talent to make a name for itself in the international arena.Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri is a staffer at Geo Super. Comments Submit مضمون کا ماخذ:لیپریچون کی خوش قسمتی۔