HOCKEY PAKISTAN Vs SPAIN WORLD CUP 2010

Wounded Pakistan need to win against Spain

         New Delhi: They are hurt and bruised. Spain, beware of a Pakistan backlash. Their pride dented following the loss against arch-rivals India, a wounded Pkistan were seeking nothing but a win against Spain on Tuesday to keep them on track in the Hero Honda hockey world Cup.

         But, Zeeshan ashraf's men would be aware that it was not going to be easy against a team which overcome a shaky beginning to win their first match against South Africa on Sunday. Both the coach and the captain admitted that theyhave to put the failure against India behind and look ahead to stay alive in the tournament.

          "We have still four matches to go, " said coach Shahid Ali Khan. "I have trust on my boys, and we will bounce back. " The games against India on Sunday exposed the chinks in Pakistan's Armour like their inability to rotate the players effectively,Waseem Ahmed's struggle to match up to the much inexperienced Indian midfielders and Sohail Abbas' failure to eonvert most of the penalty corners that came thier way.

        But despite the shortcomings, the side had the ability to lift up their level to match the best in the business,especially after a defeat like the one they suffered against the hosts. "The best thing about this team is that it knows how to bounce back, " said captain Ashraf, suggesting that how important it was for his team to win to stay alive in the competition.

        Spain, on the other hand, would be weary about conceding early goals which put them under some pressure in the game against South Africa. They appeared a disjointed lot in the initial stage of the match, but reorganised to take home full points. But against a team like Pakistan, any early mistakes could prove costly.