Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Samiullah Khan Urges Pakistan to Fortify Defence Against India
A very famous hockey player from Pakistan, Samiullah Khan, gave his team advice before a big World Cup game against India.
The match is on Wednesday, and Pakistan must win to stay in the competition, while India only needs a draw.
Samiullah told Pakistan to play a very strong defence and not allow any penalty corners in the opening minutes.
He asked midfielders to move forward and forwards to pass diagonally and swap passes to score goals.
He believes Pakistan's young players can handle the pressure because they recently played India in the Pro League and fought hard.
Samiullah praised India, saying its hockey has improved a lot since 2016 and that Pakistan needs a similar long-term plan.
He remembers when Pakistan beat India 7-1 in the 1982 Asian Games, and noted India beat Pakistan 10-2 in the 2023 Asian Games.
He also thinks the India-Pakistan rivalry has lost some excitement and wants players to bring back artistic, skillful hockey.
Pakistan hockey legend and chief selector Samiullah Khan advised the team to keep a compact defence and not concede penalty corners to India in the first quarter of their FIH World Cup pool match.
Pakistan need a win to keep their World Cup campaign alive, while India can progress to the next round with a draw.
Samiullah urged midfielders to advance toward goal and forwards to score through diagonal and interchange passes.
He praised India's hockey transformation since 2016 and said Pakistan's federations lack long-term vision.
He recalled Pakistan's 7-1 victory over India at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi and India's 10-2 win at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
- Who
- Samiullah Khan, Pakistan hockey legend, two-time Olympic gold medallist and current chief selector.
- What
- Strategic advice for Pakistan ahead of their FIH World Cup pool match against India.
- When
- The match is on Wednesday; he also referenced the 1982 and 2023 Asian Games.
- Where
- The venue for Wednesday's match is not stated; his remembered matches were in Delhi (1982) and Hangzhou (2023).
- Why
- Pakistan need a win to stay in the World Cup, while India can progress with a draw.
- Event
- FIH World Cup pool match
- Teams
- Pakistan vs India
- Stakes
- Pakistan need a win; India can progress with a draw
- Match day
- Wednesday
- Adviser
- Samiullah Khan, Pakistan chief selector and two-time Olympic gold medallist known as the Flying Horse
- Age
- 74 years old
- 1982 Asian Games
- Pakistan beat India 7-1 in Delhi
- 2023 Asian Games
- India beat Pakistan 10-2 in Hangzhou