Pakistan critics have a field day

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Pakistan's worst-ever eighth-place finish in men's field hockey yesterday prompted former players to attack the playing standard and call for an overhaul of the team.

"I am really feeling sad and have no words to describe this pathetic show," Pakistan's celebrated former Olympian Samiullah said.

Pakistan had reached at least the top four in 11 of the 13 Olympics it contested between 1948 and 2000, winning gold three times.

The eighth-place finish, from 12 competing teams, was cemented when Pakistan was emphatically beaten, 4-2, by New Zealand yesterday.

It was Pakistan's lowest finish in the Olympics. The previous worst had been fifth, at Athens in 2004 and Seoul in 1988.

Samiullah, known as "Flying Horse" for his mercurial play, had not expected much of the Pakistan team in Beijing.

"Frankly speaking, I had no hopes of a medal from the team that was picked for the Olympics, but I was expecting Pakistan to finish at least at fifth or sixth place, not what they have achieved," said Samiullah, who played on the country's last gold medal-winning team at Los Angeles in 1984.

Samiullah said weak defense - 17 goals allowed in six matches - caused Pakistan's downfall. He also advised the Pakistan Hockey Federation to start preparing for the 2010 Asian Games.

"The only way we can move forward is by saying 'thank you very much' to the senior players and start grooming youngsters for the Asian Games," he said.

The eighth-placed finish meant Pakistan would miss next year's Champions Trophy, reserved for the top six finishers at the Olympics. (AP)