PICK OF THE LOT: Rehan Butt (second from right) has been the best player on view so far. — Photo: V. Ganesan

Chennai: To showcase the first phase of the current PHL in the orbit of technical excellence or glamour associated with a big-time event, will be dismissed as exaggeration. So far it has been prosaic, un-aesthetic and anything but appealing.

Debatable is the timing. Coming at the conclusion of a hectic year, the event has only injected an element of ennui.

Majority of the players appear jaded and disinterested. The calendar has been heavy since September forcing a large section of the players to be on their toes. This has taken a heavy toll. A filament of exhaustion is palpable.

If a sparkle came during the seven-day programme, it was from the Pakistanis. True, they are sizeable in number, but the focus was on two.

On top was Rehan Butt, who led the country in the Asian Games at Doha, where the team ensured a berth in the 2008 Olympics after a hiccup or two.

The proficiency of Rehan Butt, who dons the Bangalore Lions colours, is illuminating. He moves like a flash of lightning on the flank and attacks the target like a leopard. The three goals he slotted against Chennai Veerans on Wednesday illustrated what this Pakistani is capable of. He has been the best player on view so far.

Shakeel Abbasi is the other. Forced to miss the opening match for Hyderabad Sultans against Chennai Veerans after a delayed flight, he played a crucial role in enabling the team to record its first win and re-chart the course of recovery. He is yet to touch the best, but indications are clear that as the event progresses Abbasi will be a force to reckon with.

European flair

In the Dutch contingent, Sander van der Weide provides that European flair for Bangalore Lions. Don Prins of Sher-E-Jalandhar netted a classic goal, diving and deflecting a cross, on Monday.

None of the young Indians - Raghunath in particular - managed to steal the show. Interestingly, the best had come from the seasoned and discarded stars like Gagan Ajit Singh. The three he netted against Bangalore Lions underlined the dynamism of his heyday. He is turning up to be an asset for the Sher-E-Jalandhar after a sedate start.

The Jalandhar squad is also served well by the efficiency of Baljit Singh Dhillon and wing-half Baljit Saini. Their roles so far have been constructive, born out of rich experience.

Lack of depth

Taken on the whole no team came out consistently with a striking strategy or a system. Which perhaps reflects the lack of depth in the chart fashioned by coaches. Newcomers like Mohammad Riaz, who coaches Chennai Veerans, should evolve fresh ideas rather than going on endlessly in the same mould.

Coaches like Mukesh, Sodhi, Bansal , Parameswaran and Ashish Ballal are definitely capable of much more than what they have shown so far. There is a noticeable touch of inhibition to go in for bold experiments.

Sans the injured Sandeep Singh, almost the national pool is on view here. Of the drag flickers only Len Aiyappa, has done something of significance.

Jugraj probably believes the route to the national team lies in through repeated expression of desire through the media. But the two he missed during the penalty shootout against Maratha Warriors confirmed that the once-feared striker has a long way to go before donning the national colours again.

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