Sohail Abbas hoping for a successful comeback

KARACHI - A day after being recalled to the national hockey team, Pakistan’s short corner specialist Sohail Abbas is hoping to make a successful comeback at next month’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

“I am always ready to play for Pakistan,” Sohail said when asked whether he was ready to make yet another international comeback after spending several months on the sidelines.

“I am fit and have been training while I was out of the team,” he told The news Saturday.

Sohail was axed from the national team after Pakistan flopped miserably and finished last in the 2010 World Cup in March.

Following the debacle, Sohail was singled out as one of the biggest failures of the World Cup and was not considered for the team when the countrys hockey chiefs began making plans for two back-to-back events - the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

However, they were forced to recall Sohail after Pakistan slumped to a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Commonwealth Games, suffering defeats at the hands of arch-rivals India and South Africa in New Delhi earlier this month.

Sohail said it is his greatest desire to help Pakistan win a major title before saying goodbye to the game.

“It is something that is very much on my mind,” he said referring to the fact that during his illustrious career Pakistan have never won a major international title. “It would be great if Pakistan win the Asian Games because it will fill a big void.”

The drag-flicker is now part of the 25-man preliminary squad which will begin training for the Asian Games in Islamabad from Oct 25.

Hockey officials said the experienced Sohail, who is regarded among the worlds best short corner specialists, will have to prove his form and fitness during the camp and national trials early next month to earn a place in the Asian Games squad.

Sohail said he will try to give his best during the camp. My form is good and I will try to give my best, he said.

Pakistans critics might reject the former Asian Games champions as too poor to win the title but Sohail believes that the Greenshirts can prove to be the surprise package of the Guangzhou Games.

It is not a bad side but what we need is to give our best. We have to play well to win titles.

Sohail has a particularly good track record against India and Pakistan will be banking on him to beat the old rivals in a much-awaited clash between the two Asian giants Nov 20 in Guangzhou.

India have beaten Pakistan in their last two high-profile clashes and would be looking for a third consecutive win over their neighbours.

Sohail said that if given a chance to play in the Asian Games, he will not be focusing on any particular team.

We have to work hard against all teams because that is the only way we can go all the way, he said.