July 2, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 1,1424

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LAHORE, July 1: Former Olympian Khawaja Mohammad Junaid, has said that the defeat of Pakistan team at the hands of Australia ‘A’ in the last two back to back tournaments in that country  was an alarming situation.

Addressing at a press conference, before leaving to take up his new assignment as Natinal chief coach of the Chinese hockey team, Junaid pointed out that India and the Australia were strong teams and a defeat from them was not a big issue, but a  dismal performance against Australia “A” was alarming.

When told that the manager of the Pakistan team, Shahnaz Sheikh had stated that Australian ‘A’ team was an equally good side as was their  national team, he said then the credit goes to the Australians who had built up the good base. But he said that in contrary to that the Pakistan team after missing only three top players had no alternate to enter a strong team.

He said that continuity in the policies could give better results.

Junaid said that he will join the Chinese team in Malaysia where it would be playing the first Test of four match series against the host on Wednesday.

He said that China Hockey Association asked for his services through PHF.

He said that he signed a contract with the Chinese from April 25 to Sept 25, 2003, but could not go to China due to SARS disease.

Junaid said that from Malaysia he would go to China with the team. After one month training, he would come to Pakistan with his team to play five matches from July 8. Three matches will be played in Karachi and two in Wah.

He said that China had sufficient funds and had engaged four national coaches with the team and assigned him as a chief coach. He said that he would also train the Chinese coaches.

He said that main target of China was the Asia Cup to be held in September. To prepare the team for the Asia Cup, a tour of Switzerland and Spain had also been arranged by the China, he added.