KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20: China are unfazed about having to play against Pakistan and India in Asia Cup hockey tournament at Kuala Lumpur.

China’s Pakistani coach, K.M. Junaid, said the team had “improved significantly and would go all out to achieve good results” against Asian giants.

“Like all other teams, our target is to qualify for semifinals. But it is going to be a tall order indeed for the team. Our chances would have been better if we had drawn South Korea and Malaysia in our group,” said Junaid. Bangladesh are China’s other opponents in Group B.

The coach was hired three months ago to help Chinese build a team geared towards 2008 Olympics, which they will host in Beijing.

Junaid, a member of Pakistan team who won 1994 World Cup in Sydney, said emphasis over last two months was to improve on players’ individual skills.—PPI