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18 January 2004
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Sunday
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25 Ziqa'ad 1424
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Tough task ahead for favourites Pakistan
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17: Defending champions and favourites Pakistan know they are in for a tough final against Australia in the Azlan Shah Cup here on Sunday and are likely to opt for calculated play, avoiding defence-exposing risks.
"The finals is going to be tough as the Australians are peaking at the right moment," said coach Dutchman Roelant Oltmans, who has helped the Pakistanis to a recent revival of fortunes.
"The Aussies are strong mentally and my team will have to bide for the right moment to strike."
Australia held Pakistan to a 2-2 draw in the preliminary round match Thursday, when Pakistan had already booked their spot in the final.
To secure their own place, Australia beat Germany 4-2 Friday while Pakistan rested, a factor Oltman said could count in their favour.
"We have had an extra day's of rest and that could prove crucial in the humid conditions.
"But Australia play with such passion and this was evident with their win over Germany, a match they had to win to make the final," he said.
Under Oltman's guidance, Pakistan play with more confidence in defence and do not commit players into attack unnecessarily.
Perhaps their strongest point is their ability to score field goals and not merely rely on the striking ability of Sohail Abbas in the penalty corner situations.
Australian assistant coach Colin Batch said his team were ready for a good fight.
"The Pakistanis start off as the favourites in the final but we aim to make it tough for them," he said.
"The win over the Germans has given the players a tremendous boost and we have to curtail the threat posed by Sohail to stand a chance of winning the trophy."
The Azlan Shah Cup has been held 13 times, but the two teams have only met six times, with the Australians winning four of the clashes and one match ending in a draw.
Pakistan have won the trophy three times, in 2003, 2000 and 1999. Australia won the inaugural tournament in 1983 and also in 1998, when they went on to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal.-AFP
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