Pakistan hockey players blasted for dismal showing

Lahore, July 27 (UNI) Holland's 9-2 thrashing of Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in Spain has not only shocked the hockey lovers in the country but also stunned the game's administrators and the media.

Pakistan, the three-time Champions Trophy winners, suffered their worst defeat in the tournament's history on Tuesday.

''This is one of the most shameful showing by the country, which has won the maximum number of World Cup titles,'' screamed the newspapers across the country.

Prior to this defeat Pakistan's heaveist loss was 7-1 against New Zealand in Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002.

''Pakistan were lucky that Dutch players slowed down the pace of the game in the dying moments and one of the shots hit the goal post otherwise the defeat would have been in double digit,'' wrote one paper.

However, most of the media have tried to find fault with players' activities which had nothing to do with the game.

According to 'The News', ''A wild party at beach, on the eve of the match, by the 'indisciplined' players led to this debacle.'' Country's leading urdu daily, 'Jung' was more scathing. ''Instead of taking rest and preparing for the crucial match (against Holland) the Pakistan players spent the day swimming and enjoying on a Barcelona beach,'' the paper said.

''A tired and disjointed looking team gave a dismal display which will remain a blot in the name of the game in the country,'' it concluded.

The paper particularly lambasted goalkpeeper Salman Akbar saying he was a disgrace as he displayed an embarrassing and unsporting attitude by throwing his gloves in the wash basin and then kicked the door of the locker room after he was replaced after the first half.

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