Thursday, May 24, 2012
KARACHI: After a few days of rest following their tour of Thailand and Palestine, national footballers will re-assemble in Lahore on Saturday to start their final preparatory phase ahead of the Under-22 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group B to be held in Saudi Arabia from June 23 to July 3.
“Yes, the players will report for the camp on Saturday and the training will start on Sunday,” Pakistan’s Serbian coach Zavisa Milosavljevic told ‘The News’ from Lahore on Wednesday.
He disclosed that apart from the players who are part of the regular team, 14 new players, who had been shortlisted during the National Under-22 Championship in Bahawalpur, have also been invited for the camp. Zavisa said that the fresh faces will have to pass through trials and it would be looked whether any one could meet the selection criteria.
Zavisa said that the final 23-member team will be finalised by June 6.
It is also expected that Pakistan will undergo a foreign tour ahead of their departure for Saudi Arabia.
“We are trying to negotiate with Bahrain, Qatar and Jordon and hopefully we will be able to arrange a two-week training tour for our side which will help them come into top shape before the vital assignment in Saudi Arabia,” PFF Director Development and Competitions, Pervez Saeed Mir, told this correspondent.
He said that Pakistan will need at least three or four more practice matches before their tough assignment.
PFF secretary Ahmad Yar Lodhi is in Hungary these days and he will negotiate with some Gulf countries about Pakistan’s tour.
In the Qualifiers, Pakistan have been placed in Group B with the hosts Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sri Lanka, Palestine and Kyrgyzstan.
Pakistan will play their first match against Saudi Arabia on June 23, followed by their games against Sri Lanka on June 25, Kyrgyzstan on June 28, Syria on June30 and Palestine on July 3.
The coach is confident that he would be able to build a fighting squad for the qualifiers.
“The boys have already made a great improvement during the last few weeks and if we are able to keep our preparation with the same pace then I am hopeful that the team would be in top form when it will field in the qualifiers,” said the 52-year old coach.
He said that no foreign-based player is under consideration, saying, France-based Malik Mohammad Humman is busy in examination and he is not in any contact with the management.
best of luck (Y) , it seems that Pakistan football is going at right direction which is very happy to see :)
PLZZZ CONTACT WITH THEM…..BCZ they wants to join pakistan team…and here in peshawar one talented player who is wait for opportunities…..try to give him a chance in under 22 pakistan squad….he his a techniques and shooting power and good passing ability… and as well as he easily understand tactics…..
commitment is needed to play. be they local or foreign.
as far as the Peshawar player goes, he needs to be playing nationwide football, for a department or PPL club. only then can he be noticed for national team
He plays for MAllak Saad Football Acadmey….you people can notice him n that acadmy
plzzzz give him a chance to participate in camp….he his a spirit of football
i think pakistan must callll a great coach for team frm another country mean frm england or some where else …then itt could be gr8
Zavisa Milosavljevic is good enough for Pakistan. He is building a new team and we should support him.
Are you Mental FayyazKhan58@ first of all not many Coaches from England will manage Pakistan..Second of all Under Zavisa the team has gone unbeaten and even scored goals….Third of all Pakistan should be thankful they got a European coach in the first place.. If anything Pakistan should hold on to him and if that means paying him more money then so be it.
Coach should organize three matches series between pak senior vs u22
Best of Luck to pakistan in the upcomign qualifiers :)