Pakistan SAFF Cup Camp Too Late, Warns Shehzad
Pakistan SAFF Cup camp started too late to prepare the national team properly, former head coach Shehzad Anwar has warned. He said a short camp could leave players underprepared and increase the risk of injuries at the tournament in Dhaka.
Shehzad spoke to The Express Tribune on Saturday, days before Pakistan fly out for the SAFF Cup, which begins on 5 November. Feature Pakistan already reported that Pakistan faced a SAFF preparation crisis as the camp was delayed.
Why Shehzad says the Pakistan SAFF Cup camp is too short
Shehzad said the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) knew the tournament fell outside the FIFA window. That meant foreign-based players would not be available, and the squad would rely on local players who had no league or domestic football to keep them in shape.
“It’s strange,” Shehzad said. “You knew that the event was outside the FIFA window and foreign-based players would not be available, and you would have to go with local players, who were out of shape as there is no league or domestic football to keep them in shape.”
He said a proper conditioning camp needed at least six weeks. In a week, he argued, players cannot even relax, let alone build fitness. “You need at least a six-week camp for proper conditioning. In a week’s time, players cannot even relax, so how will you train them?” he said.
Players assembled on 26 October and received kits on 28 October. The team fly out on Monday, and face India on 5 November, leaving about ten days from assembly to the first match against a six-week standard.
The injury risk Shehzad fears
Shehzad warned that loading unfit players with heavy training could cause harm. He said even the world’s top trainer could not fix the problem in such a short time.
“If you bring in the world’s top trainer, it will still be of no use. If you put a load on players who are not in shape, you will make them injured, and if they don’t get injured, they will definitely go into the red zone and be on the brink of injury,” he said.
He also warned against blaming the coach for results that follow from poor preparation. “Now you will want the coach to produce results, and if he fails, he will be blamed. He cannot be blamed in this situation when you have not given him enough time,” he said. Winning at the cost of injuries would also be wrong, he added: “Players need ample time in camp.”
A pattern, not a one-off
Shehzad said this was not the first time the PFF had mishandled preparations. Last time, head coach Nolberto Solano could not get his visa in time and had to rush to Indonesia to join the squad directly for the ASEAN Cup. Sources told The Express Tribune that even team manager Shahzaib Khan was in Baku and joined the camp only recently.
Shehzad contrasted Bangladesh, whose league keeps players fit even with a late camp. Pakistan, without a league, cannot rely on club fitness to fill the gap.
What Pakistan face in Dhaka
Pakistan have never won the SAFF Cup. They are in Group B with India and Maldives, while Group A comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, with the top two in each group reaching the semi-finals.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Shehzad Anwar say the SAFF Cup camp is too late?
Local players have no league football to keep them fit, so they need six weeks of conditioning, while this camp gives about ten days before the first match.
When did Pakistan’s SAFF Cup camp start?
Players assembled on 26 October and received their kits on 28 October, ahead of a flight to Dhaka on Monday.
When does Pakistan play its first SAFF Cup match?
Pakistan face India in their opening match on 5 November, in Group B with India and Maldives.
Has Pakistan ever won the SAFF Cup?
No. Pakistan have never won the SAFF Cup.
Why is India fielding a second-string side?
India’s senior team will travel to New Zealand for friendlies in Auckland on 12 November and Christchurch on 15 November.
