KARACHI, April 17: Indian junior hockey coach Harendra Singh on Saturday said his side was eager to face Pakistan but would not be intimidated by arch-rivals' two penalty corner strikers at this month's Junior Asia Cup.
"We are the junior world champions and there is no question of being intimidated by the presence of Pakistani penalty corner specialists," Singh told Dawn at Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP).
Experts are pinning hopes on Imran Warsi and Mohammad Imran - the two Pakistani drag-flickers - and expect the duo will play a key role at the ten-nation tournament which begins from April 20 at HCP.
Singh, a former Indian full-back, said the pair would have to prove their worth during the tournament since there was a difference between playing friendly matches and participating in a competition like Asia Cup.
"They (Imran Warsi and Mohammad Imran) will have to show their mettle which they should. Playing some practice matches and playing at an international tournament are two different things," he said.
Interestingly, Singh considered his team's short corner executioner Sandeep Singh and the midfield as the two strongest points of his side which he thought was capable of delivering.
"Sandeep and midfield are two points which makes difference. Sandeep is a very good short corner striker."
Singh said it should be like a dream for his players to play against Pakistan and they were ready and willing to see that dream come true.
"Games between India and Pakistan are always watched with keen interest in both the countries and I must say there will be hardly an Indian or a Pakistani player who does not want to play against each other," the 35-year-old coach said.
Pakistan and India are expected to meet in the semifinals since both have been placed in different pools.
"I have heard about the current tour of our cricket team here. I say there should be hockey activity too between the two nations for a better relationship," Singh suggested.
The Indian said he did not see any Pakistani player in the current squad who could be elevated to the senior squad, while his side had at least four players who were on the verge of joining their seniors.
"Apart from the four who could graduate for the senior side, we have eight players who were fielded during the Azlan Shah Cup for exposure ahead of Junior Asia Cup. But obviously all the players are Under-21."
Although the Indian, who called it quits after being dropped from 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games squad, refrained from saying that his side would win the Cup, he was sure his team would qualify for the Junior World Cup next year in the Netherlands.
The forthcoming event will also serve as regional qualifying round of the Junior World Cup.
"I am pleased with the performances of my team which has jelled into a fine outfit. I can't say we will win the title. But since we are the reigning world champions, we should have the guts to say we will qualify for the World Cup.
"I am sure our side is capable of giving something, a gift to the Indian nation back home," coach said.
For Singh each and every point is precious as he feels he will focus to win all the league games before reaching the semifinals. Besides Pakistan, he saw defending champions South Korea and Malaysia as two sides which could pose a serious threat.
However, Singh named China, Japan, Chinese Taipei as the teams which he said could also spring a surprise against any side.
"Teams like China, Japan and Chinese Taipei are quite capable of giving a surprise to other teams," he opined.
