10 November 2004	Wednesday	26 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Nov 9: Pakistan hockey manager and former Olympian Samiullah Khan believes his side has a 'last chance' to end the title drought by winning the forthcoming Champions Trophy which begins on Dec 4.

Talking to Dawn on Tuesday, Samiullah remarked that most of the players of the current team had been striving for the title for the last eight to 10 years, but they had failed to make any significant achievement. "But now they are in an ideal position to break the barrier because our team has an edge over the rivals," Samiullah said.

"The other five teams of the competition are almost in rebuilding process after the Olympics-2004 but Pakistan have decided to go with an experienced side. The home ground and crowd are an added advantage," Samiullah added.

Asked what difference the inclusion of Mohammad Saqlain, who has been called to the camp after missing the Athens Olympics for breach of discipline will make, Samiullah said that Saqlain was one of the key players.

About the outcome of the nine-day event, he opined that Pakistan had a 50-50 chance of victory. But if "we play according to our plan and with consistency we can win the title".

Identifying the grey areas of the home side, Samiullah cited inconsistency being the major problem.

"The boys take a deep dip in patches during a match which is a major shortcoming and should be removed.

"If they play even 60 percent to their potential but with consistency they can serve the team better instead of playing in patches," he added.

He further stated that six senior players must lead from the front to pull the entire team along and that was the most important.

He said that if the players were mentally fit they should deliver on the field.

He said that a meeting was being held on Wednesday to decide against which teams Pakistan would play practice matches prior to the Champions Trophy.

He admitted that Pakistan had a bad experience of playing against Spain before the Athens Olympics and added the final decision in this connection would be taken after a thorough study.

Asked how they would take the decision about selecting the team for practice matches without head coach Roelant Oltmans, he said that the coach would also be consulted. Oltmans, who is in Holland, is scheduled to join the camp from Nov 21.