Pak coach apologises to nation for worst-ever WC performance

Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan today joined captain Zeeshan Ashraf in apologising to the countrymen for suffering the ignominy of finishing last, their worst-ever performance in the hockey World Cup.

Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan today joined captain Zeeshan Ashraf in apologising to the countrymen for suffering the ignominy of finishing last, their worst-ever performance in the hockey World Cup.

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Pakistan today lost to Canada by a golden goal 2-3 in the 11-12th place play-off match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to register their first 12th position in the history of the tournament.

Pakistan worst showing in the World Cup prior today was the 11th place finish in the 1986 edition of the tournament in London.

Shahid condemned the team's deplorable performance and said he was ready to face any consequence for the debacle.

"It is our worst performance and there is no justification to it. Captain Zeeshan has already apologised to the nation and now it is my turn to apologise before the countrymen for this performance," he told reporters.

He said the 1-4 loss against India in their opening match played a crucial part in Pakistan's dismal showing, as the players could never recover from the morale-shattering defeat.

"When you come to a tournament with a top four finish in sight and you lose the opening match that too against India, then it becomes very difficult to make a comeback. That loss was crucial. We could never make a comeback from that. From there we played well in patches," the Pakistan coach said.