India plotted against us before final: Pak coach
20 Dec 2014 12:45 AM GMT
Pakistan players had engaged in wild celebrations after beating arch-rivals India 4-3 in a nail-biting semifinal in Bhubaneswar with some taking their jerseys off while making obscene gesture towards the Indian spectators. As a result two of his players Amjad Ali and Mohammed Tousiq were susoended.
Sheikh, a former Olympian alleged foul-play and also said that a “small incident” was blown out of proportion. “The way the incident of our players celebrating after the semifinal win over India was blow out of proportion and the manner in which we were put under pressure before the final against Germany is a confirmation of Indian conspiracy. They didn’t want us to win the title,” Sheikh said in an interview.
Sheikh also complained that the team wasn’t provided with any security as they were returning by bus crossing the Wagah Border.
“It was a long drive and there was no security escort given to us which was strange because in the past buses have been stoned and harassed on this route. More importantly, soon after we beat India in the semifinal, the attitude towards us changed and it added to the pressure on us before the final,” said Sheikh.
Both media and Hockey India had lashed out at the Pakistan players after their over-the-top celebrations but the celebrated player of his time defended the incident. “It was natural action on their part and it wasn’t done with any wrong intention. They are youngsters and they got emotional and carried away. But the way the incident was blown out of proportion and the way I was pressurized to submit a public apology was an awful experience,” said Sheikh.
The Pakistan coach alleged even India’s behaviour after their Asian Games triumph was not ok. “When they beat us in Asiad final, they celebrated in a big way and made signs but we accepted all that such celebrations are done at spur of the moment. It’s not meant to convey any message,” said Sheikh.
Sheikh, a former Olympian alleged foul-play and also said that a “small incident” was blown out of proportion. “The way the incident of our players celebrating after the semifinal win over India was blow out of proportion and the manner in which we were put under pressure before the final against Germany is a confirmation of Indian conspiracy. They didn’t want us to win the title,” Sheikh said in an interview.
Sheikh also complained that the team wasn’t provided with any security as they were returning by bus crossing the Wagah Border.
“It was a long drive and there was no security escort given to us which was strange because in the past buses have been stoned and harassed on this route. More importantly, soon after we beat India in the semifinal, the attitude towards us changed and it added to the pressure on us before the final,” said Sheikh.
Both media and Hockey India had lashed out at the Pakistan players after their over-the-top celebrations but the celebrated player of his time defended the incident. “It was natural action on their part and it wasn’t done with any wrong intention. They are youngsters and they got emotional and carried away. But the way the incident was blown out of proportion and the way I was pressurized to submit a public apology was an awful experience,” said Sheikh.
The Pakistan coach alleged even India’s behaviour after their Asian Games triumph was not ok. “When they beat us in Asiad final, they celebrated in a big way and made signs but we accepted all that such celebrations are done at spur of the moment. It’s not meant to convey any message,” said Sheikh.
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