Pakistan have been placed alongside India, Japan and hosts Bangladesh in Pool A.
Indian hockey team (Photo: Twitter)
As hockey enthusiasts keenly await the clash of arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the upcoming Asia Cup, Pakistan hockey coach Farhat Khan feels that the Indian team will be toughest among other Asian powerhouses.
“There is tough competition among the participating Asian teams with India being the strongest on paper with a world ranking of 6,” Farhat said as quoted by PTI.
Pakistan have been placed alongside India, Japan and hosts Bangladesh in Pool A.
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The Farhat-coached Pakistani side will start their campaign facing Bangladesh on October 11. They will next take on Japan and India on October 13 and 15 respectively.
The Pakistani coach gave the example of Malaysia, who unexpectedly reached last four at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in London.
“But there are always teams, who can spring a surprise as Malaysia showed by finishing fourth at the Hockey World League Semi-Final in London. Therefore, it is important for us to keep focus on our game as we want to win the tournament,” Farhat added.
Although the Pakistani hockey team has not been upto the mark in the past few years, they have qualified for the Hockey World Cup, to be held next year in India.
In the recent Hockey World League Semi-Final, Pakistan disappointed their fans after finishing seventh in the tournament.
Having won the title thrice, Pakistan are the second most successful team in the history of Asia Cup. Leaders South Korea have four titles on their shelf.
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