Pakistan hockey team player (File photo)
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced the change just hours before the Pakistan squad left for the World Cup.
Former Pakistan Olympian Farhan Khan said Veldhof’s lack of experience as a head coach could be a concern. In modern hockey, the head coach calls all the shots with the help of his assistant coaches and video analyst,” Khan said. Pakistan will enter the FIH World Cup with goalkeeping coach Bob Johan Veldhof as their head coach after Herman Kruis returned to the Netherlands to continue with his existing assignment. Kruis, who had initially been appointed head coach, will instead work as an adviser to the federation, while Veldhof will take charge of the national team. The PHF had brought in the Dutch coaching group of Kruis, Veldhof and Christopher Bowen after the FIH Pro League in Europe in June-July. They were appointed as head coach, goalkeeping coach and assistant coach respectively as part of a change to Pakistan’s coaching staff. “Veldhof will no doubt be invaluable for our goalkeepers, but his lack of experience as a head coach is a concern. The top two teams from each of the two second-round pools will qualify for the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will meet in the final.