15 August 2004	Sunday	28 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ATHENS, Aug 14: Asian rivals India and Pakistan step into difficult opening matches of the Olympic men's field hockey on Sunday determined to reclaim glory that was once theirs.

India clash with defending champions the Netherlands in their first match at the Helliniko stadium, while Pakistan play World Cup holders Germany.

The outcome of the two games may decide the fate of the former masters in the competition. The draw could have been kinder, but both India and Pakistan consider tough openers a blessing in disguise.

"You have your best chance to defeat a favoured team if you play them first," said Indian assistant coach Jagbir Singh ahead of the clash against the mighty Dutch.

His Pakistani counterpart Tahir Zaman concurred. "Both sides will be vulnerable at the start, that is the right time to strike."

India are looking for their first podium finish since winning the last of their eight Olympic gold medals at the western-boycotted Moscow Games in 1980.

Three-time champions Pakistan have not won a major competition since the 1994 World Cup in Sydney, but the presence of goal-churning penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas always makes them a formidable opponent.

He has averaged almost 1.5 goals in a 205-match career, which includes a record 19 hat tricks.

Pakistan reached the semifinals in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney mainly due to Sohail's eight goals, the second best in the competition after Argentine Jorge Lombi's tally of 13.

It is no secret in world hockey that rival defenders are wary of conceding penalty corners when Abbas is around, but Pakistan's Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans rubbished suggestions that his was a one-man team.

"Abbas is our best player but I rely on all 16 players. If the inspiration comes from one player, so be it," Oltmans said.

The new penalty corner rule, introduced just before the Olympics, which bans defenders from charging into a penalty corner hit, will make Abbas a bigger force.

India, meanwhile, are struggling to find a winning combination due to an inexplicably high turnover of coaches.

They fired 14 coaches in the last 11 years before settling for unknown German, Gerhard Rach, as their first foreign coach less than three weeks before the team flew to Athens.

Rach, who appears to have settled in comfortably with his new wards, believes a new-look India will be on display in this competition.

"They are the most talented bunch I have seen, they just need to get their heads right," Rach said. "India only needs to win a big one and the floodgates will open."

If Pakistan have Abbas, India will seek inspiration from 36-year-old Dhanraj Pillay, playing in his fourth Olympics.

Recalled on public demand after being ignored from the list of Olympic probables, the mercurial Pillay remains a threat despite his advancing years.

"It hurts everytime we lose in the Olympics," Pillay said. "I don't want to lose out again in my final appearance. If we play to our potential, anything can happen."

India are placed with the Dutch, Australia, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand in Pool B of the 12-nation competition.

Pool A, regarded as the 'group of death', comprises Pakistan, Germany, South Korea, Spain, Britain and Egypt.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals.

In other matches on Sunday, Australia meet trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, Argentina play South Africa, South Korea clash with Spain and Britain are pitted against Egypt.-AFP