KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20: The 6th Asia Cup gets underway in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday with the eight competing countries looking to secure an automatic place in the 2006 World Cup to be held in Germany.

With the champions guaranteed a spot in Germany, defending champions South Korea are expected to put on a good show in Group A which also includes Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong.

Group B comprises traditional foes India and Pakistan as well as China and Bangladesh.

The Koreans are odds-on favourites to bag their third consecutive title after winning the last two in 1994 and 1999 but they are expected to see stiff competition from Pakistan, the winning team in 1982, 1985 and 1989.

India, Malaysia and Japan are also tipped to perform well at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Despite the long-term dominance of Asian hockey by India, Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia, Japan has also emerged as a force to be reckoned with of late.

The Japanese have undergone intense preparations for the tournament and their five-match series against South Korea proved that they are on the right track.

Though Japan lost two and drew three matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding 17 during the competition, their coach Toichi Nagai believes his team has what it takes to make the last four in Kuala Lumpur.

“Our target is to make the semis and looking at how the team has performed we are capable of achieving it,” he said.

“The Koreans will be difficult to displace but we are optimistic that we can get the better of the Malaysians this time around.”

The Malaysian team has been in turmoil following allegations of misconduct by the junior team which played in Poland last month.

Meanwhile, Indian coach Rajinder Singh could be out of a job if his team does not win the Asia Cup following his scathing attacks on his players.

Singh, who has barred his players from talking to the press, has said that some of his team have been distracted from the game by personal sponsorship and endorsement deals.

There was somewhat of an uneasy truce within the Indian team when they flew into Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Singh’s predecessor, Cedric de Souza lost his job in the midst of the World Cup last year.

The Pakistanis are expected to capitalize on the discontent within the Indian camp when the two teams meet next Wednesday.

“We are as ready as we can be for the tournament and look forward to winning our fourth title in the series,” Pakistan team manager Abdul Rashid Junior said.

“Our clashes against India have always been epic encounters and I feel it will be no different this time around.”

With penalty corner ace marksman Sohail Abbas in fine form, evident from his three goals in the friendly against Malaysia on Friday, Pakistan have every right to be confident.

It was in Malaysia in March that they ended their barren run of trophies over the past few years by capturing the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh.

While Bangladesh and Hong Kong are not expected to put up much resistance, China — coached by Pakistani former international K.M. Junaid could surprise.

Draw:

Group A - Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea

Group B - Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan

Fixtures

Sunday, Sept 21

1730H - Pakistan v Bangladesh

1800H - Japan v Hong Kong China

1930H - China v India

2000H - Malaysia v South Korea

Monday, Sept 22

1800H - Japan v Malaysia

2000H - Pakistan v China

Tuesday, Sept 23

1800H - South Korea v Hong Kong China

2000H - India v Bangladesh

Wednesday, Sept 24

1730H - Hong Kong China v Malaysia

1800H - Bangladesh v China

1930H - South Korea v Japan

2000H - India v Pakistan

Friday, Sept 26

Classification Matches and Semifinals

Saturday, Sept 27

Classification Matches

Sunday, Sept 28

Final

— AFP