Alam Zeb Safi, The News
KARACHI: Pakistan football coach Zavisa Milosavljevic said on Friday that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup Qualifiers would be a real challenge for him as well as his charges. “Yes, the challenge cup will really be a challenge for all of us,” said the Serbian, who has been serving as Pakistan coach since November 2011. “We have a very difficult first match against Tajikistan but if we repeat the same tactical and technical performance which our team had shown on its tours of Nepal and Maldives then we can expect good results,” Zavisa told ‘The News’ from Lahore on Friday.
“But we will take all the matches extra serious,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Friday unveiled a list of 25 probables for the camp which will start at the City School Ground in Lahore on Saturday (today).
Zavisa said that almost all the players had reached the Punjab capital and the camp would begin as per schedule.
Striker Jadeed Khan Pathan, keeper Muzammil Hussain, defender Saddam Hussain and striker Rizwan Asif have also been invited for the camp.
As expected the list includes eight foreign-based players. “We have written to the clubs of all the foreign-based players to tell us about the release of their players and are waiting for their response,” Zavisa said.
He said that the final 22-member side would be announced after ten days of training. About Rizwan Asif, Zavisa said that the doctor would give him the medical report of the player on Saturday (today).
“I would know about Rizwan only after the doctor’s report tomorrow,” he said.
Rizwan, who plays for KRL, did not take part in the Premier League due to an injury, but he is touted as one of the finest forwards and has taken the fancy of the Serbian.
Zavisa said that situational training would be focused, while all the technical and tactical aspects of the game would also be considered. “It’s very important to build the side which could play according to the situation,” said the coach. “The players will have a gym in the morning session tomorrow and then in the evening tactical and situational training will be conducted,” said Zavisa. He said that he planned to have three practice games against local clubs during training. He added that he also expected a foreign tour for the team ahead of the qualifiers.
Pakistan have been bracketed in Group B with hosts Kyrgyzstan, former champions Tajikistan and Macau.
The Greenshirts will face Tajikistan in their opener on March 17, followed by their games against Kyrgyzstan on March 19 and Macau on March 21.