Pakistan coach confident of winning Asia Cup in Malaysia
2 hours, 20 minutes ago
LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) - Pakistan's hockey team left for Malaysia hopeful of winning the Asia Cup and reviving the fortunes of the former giants of the game.
AFP/File Photo
"We are very hopeful to clinch the gold medal in Asia Cup and this will provide a real boost to our efforts to revive our splendid past," Tahir Zaman told AFP on Wednesday, before the team left for the eight-nation tournament, which begins in Kuala Lumpur on September 21.
Pakistan, winner of three Olympic and four world titles, have not won the quadrennial Asia Cup since 1989 and finished a worst ever fourth in last years tournament in Busan, South Korea (news - web sites).
Defending champions South Korea are grouped with Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong. Arch rivals Pakistan and India meet on September 24 in the last match of group B which also includes Bangladesh and China.
The winner of the Asia Cup will get direct entry into the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
India, with eight Olympic titles, beat Pakistan by a record scoreline of 7-4 at last months Champions Trophy in the Netherlands but Pakistan avenged through a 4-3 win in the play-off to finish third in the tournament.
India will sorely miss penalty corner expert Jograj Singh who is sidelined due to serious injuries he sustained in a car accident earlier this month.
Zaman expects a traditionally hostile contest.
"Even if Jograj is not there, I feel India has the strength to put a tough fight and it will be another mouth watering clash," said Zaman, a former captain and Olympian.
South Korea have already qualified for next years Athens Olympics while Pakistan and India will have to play Olympic qualifying rounds in Madrid, Spain in March next year.
Pakistan team:
Goalkeepers: Ahmed Alam, Salman Akbar
Full-backs: Sohail Abbas, Ali Reza, Zeeshan Ashraf
Half-backs: Ghazanfar Ali, Mohammad Saqlain, Mohammad Waseem, Dilawar Hussain, Adnan Maqsood
Forwards: Rehan Butt, Mudassar Ali Khan, Kashif Jawwad, Mohammad Nadeem, Mohammad Shabbir Hussain, Shakeel Abbasi, Khalid Salim, Mohammad Asim.
Coach: Tahir Zaman. Manager: Rasheed Junior
