Pakistan team's performance in Asiad outstanding: Abbasi

Veteran Pakistan hockey player Shakeel Abbasi Monday said that considering the country's lack of international exposure, the national team's silver medal-winning performance in the 17th Asiad held at Incheon was outstanding.

"Throughout the tournament, except for the final, we were unbeaten. We scored 27 goals which is an outstanding performance," Abbasi was quoted as saying by Dawn online.

The star centre forward bemoaned the fact that Pakistan got very few opportunities in terms of playing international events particularly in their own country.

"Before the mega event we had only been able to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy held last year. So, under the given circumstances, our performance was up to the mark in the Asian Games," the former captain added.

India prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win gold after a gap of 16 years. Abbasi felt that his team ran out of luck in the final.

"India defeated us on penalty strokes where luck matters a lot more than technique," he said.

"Having defeated India in the group match, our morale was quite high and we were optimistic about inflicting another defeat on them in the final but we failed to do so," the 30-year-old said.

Abbasi further added that their brilliant performance in the Asian Games had helped them overcome the nightmare of failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

"We are now expecting good result in the upcoming Champions Trophy (to be held in December, 2014)," he concluded.