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CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED PHOTO ALBUM SHOWING PICTURES FROM THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ST.JOHNS
TEAM PAKISTAN HONOURED AT DINNER AT MASJID (MOSQUE) IN ST. JOHN'S.
Team Pakistan is an honourary guest at the Muslim Association of Newfoundland and Labrador's Masjid al-Noor and takes part in a dinner and hands out gifts to the members of the community! A fantastic way to salute the Muslim and Pakistani community there as they have supported them throughout the tournament. Lots of children on hand received tshirts, hats and various other gifts coordinated by General Manager and President Naveed Mohammad.
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TEAM PAKISTAN COVERED IN ST JOHN'S NEWSPAPER
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Nice to see sport bridging broad political and historical gaps every so often.
It happened this week at Jack Byrne Arena in Torbay, where the Pakistani and Israeli teams competing in the world ball hockey championship posed for a photo following the opening ceremony.
Pakistan is a Muslim country, and for centuries, Muslims and Jews have clashed, sometimes viciously. Naveed Mohammad is a veteran ball hockey player on the Pakistani team, having played the game since 1975. He lives in Toronto now, but played for Pakistan’s team that won the 2007 and 2011 world championship B pool title.
Because of its B pool victory two years ago, Pakistan was elevated to the A pool for this week’s tournament in St. John’s. “We knew this would be difficult because now we’re playing against Canada and the Czech Republic,” Mohammad said. “Yet we were looking forward to it, until we saw a team from Israel would be playing in the B pool. “Some of our players were saying wouldn’t it be fun to play against the Israelis, given the political situation with the two countries. Of course, it was said in jest. “It so happened that at the opening ceremonies (Tuesday night), the two teams were standing next to each other. Give credit to the Israeli leadership, they initiated the move to come over to us and have a photo taken of the two teams.”
The arena’s floor was a sea of humanity, and local organizers were hustling the athletes to the locker rooms when it clicked in what was going on with the teams from Pakistan and Israel.
“Once people realized what was up, what a photo opportunity this was, everybody was taking photos.
“We all thought, ‘What a wonderful thing sport can do.’
“We hope to play each other some day.”
Robin Short is The Telegram’s Sports Editor.
He can be reached by email at rshort@thetelegram.com
Game #6
PAKISTAN def FRANCE: 5-3
Team Pakistan head coach Chris Pinto and assistant Captain Osman Buttar accept their 9th place Trophy.
Game #5
SWITZERLAND def PAKISTAN: 8-3
Goalie Ibad Khan being interviewed after the Switzerland game.
Game #4
GERMANY def PAKISTAN: 7-4
In a game that Pakistan was expected to win, a lackluster first period and early second period led to Pakistan's 4th consecutive loss.
Despite much talk before the game and after an encouraging showing against Canada, Pakistan came out flat and fell behind 2-0 in the first. The goals were score on a 2 man power play followed by the remaining one man advantage for the Germans.
After a spirited discussion in the dressing room in the 1st intermission Pakistan came out equally flat and were scored on twice in the first minute.
Down 4-0 Pakistan finally woke up to score 2 in the second. Early in the third Pakistan gave up a shorthanded goal to go down 5-2. A late burst brought Pakistan to 5-4 but than with the goalie our Germany put the game out of reach.
A disappointing end to a tourney that brought out Pakistan"s best team in 10 years, at least on paper.
Pakistan now plays for positioning with a game against the tough Swiss team on Friday and than a final game Saturday.
Game #3
CANADA def PAKISTAN: 9-3
In a hard fought game and in front of a number local Pakistani fans, Pakistan finally showed they belonged in the A pool as they played their hearts out in a 9-3 loss to world powerhouse Canada. Pakistan ended the 1st period in a 1-1 tie when Munavar Hamdani score once again on a nice rush and wrist shot.
Buoyed by the excellent 1st period performance Pakistan gave up an early goal in the second period to go down 2-1. Soon after that Pakistan came close to tying it on a few occasions but than suffered a fatal defensive lapse where Canada scored 4 quick goals.
Pakistan regrouped in the second intermission and played an excellent high tempo third period highlighted by a 2 minute 5 on 3 penalty kill and a penalty shot goal by Munawar Hamdani.
Sajjid Ayubi scored the other goal for Pakistan. Raza Zaidi and Ibad Khan shared goaltending duties and each made a number of big saves.
Pakistan plays Germany tomorrow for their last round robin match.
Teams Canada and Pakistan together after the game.
June 4/13
World Championships Opening Ceremony is completed
General Manager Naveed Mohammed with a couple of Team Pakistan's flag bearers.
SEE MORE PICTURES HERE
Game #2
GREECE def PAKISTAN: 4-0
In a game that seemed a little more even on the floor than on the scoreboard, Pakistan was shut out by Greece 4-0. It was another A Pool team that seemed to have Pakistan on its heels. The old nemesis for Pakistan: scoring touch and offense once again reared it's ugly head.
In the end the Pakistan players did give a much better effort, especially in Periods 2 and 3, and stayed out of the box with only 2 penalties for a much better showing than opening day.
Ibad Khan once again won player of the game.
Team Pak must now gear up for its dream match up in a prime time game against Team Canada, the first meeting for the two teams at this level. Pakistan needs to get at least 3 of the final four points against Canada and Germany to have a chance to play for any A-Pool medals.
Game #1
SLOVAKIA def PAKISTAN: 8-1
After much anticipation Pakistan opened their return to Pool A against the Slovaks. The Slovaks have medaled in every world championships and were silver medalists in 2011.
As advertised Pakistan came out with speed and tenacity and were full match to the surprised slovaks. The slovaks scored early on a power play to take a 1-0 lead but Pakistan quickly responded when Bilal Buttar set up Munawar Hamdani to tie the game. Soon after that Pakistan took another penalty and gave up another power play goal. The first period ended 2-1 but the PP goal was a sign of things to come. As the game wore on th Slovaks became more dominant and pakistan and some of its younger players lost their composure. A Pakistan two man advantage resulted in 3 shots on net and than the Pakistani parade to the penalty box became more and more frequent as the Czech referee continued to call the game poorly. In the end the slovaks scored 6 power play goals to run away with the game.
In summary Pakistan had a great start and pushed the Slovaks when they were 5 on 5 but lost the battle of special teams and badly lost the battle of maturity and composure. With a day off on Monday, its a good chance to refocus and aim for Tuesdays game against Greece!
Usama Mahmood against the Slovaks
May 31, 2013
Team Pakistan head coach Christopher Pinto arrives in St. John's Newfoundland one day prior to the start of the World Championships.
Media day took place in where all team staff were interviewed.
Go to our photo album to see other pictures of the Media day.
2013 ISBHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
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TOURNAMENT POOLS HAVE ALSO BEEN DETERMINED
| POOL A | POOL B |
| CANADA SLOVAKIA GREECE GERMANY PAKISTAN |
CZECH REPUBLIC UNITED STATES PORTUGAL SWITZERLAND FRANCE |
Apr 10/13
CHRIS PINTO NAMED HEAD COACH
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ali Wadee has stepped down as
coach of Team Pakistan. This unfortunate situation occurred due to Ali not
having his vacation approved by his workplace. Ali led us
to a GOLD in 2011 and we look forward to his continued involvement in the
program and will sorely be missed Our new coach is Chris Pinto with Naiem Malik as assistant.
I will also be on the bench for any help that is needed. Chris has been with
us since 2005 and has a tremendous amount of experience. We will be in
secure hands. ~GM Naveed Mohammad
Feb 15/13
General Manager Naveed Mohammed's & Head Coach Ali Wadee's insights posted on the ISBHF website.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING PLAYERS WHO HAVE MADE THE FINAL CUT AND ARE THIS YEAR'S REPRESENTATIVES FOR TEAM PAKISTAN 2013!
GOALIES:
1. Raza Zaidi
2. Ibad Khan
DEFENCEMAN:
1. Ijaz Chaudhry
2. Bilal Buttar
3. Zafir Rashid
4. Farooq Khan
5. Mustafa Alam
6. Yusuf Azmi
7. Salih Azmi
8. Fahad Mallik
FORWARDS:
1. Sajjid Ayubi
2. Usama Mahmood
3. Imran Patel
4. Osman Buttar
5. Teepu Kidwai
6. Munavvar Hamdani
7. Omar Sabri
8. Shane Khan
9. Safi Ahmed
10. Sophian Mian
11. Nazir Lasania
12. Shaukhat Khan
13. Camran Baig
14. Waqas Khan
Head Coach Ali Wadee speaking to some Team Pakistan hopefuls at the 2013 Invitational tryouts
WE THANK ALL INVITEES THAT TOOK PART IN THE INVITATIONAL TRYOUTS HELD THIS PAST WEEKEND.
TEAM PAKISTAN HAS BEEN AWARDED THE RIGHT TO COMPETE IN POOL A AT THIS YEARS TOURNAMENT.
