19 November 2004	Friday	06 Shawwal 1425

LAHORE, Nov 18: Pakistan hockey captain Mohammad Wasim has different views than his manager Samiullah Khan about the future prospects of the Pakistan team.

Samiullah's contention is that the team has a 'last chance' to end the win drought by clinching the Dec 4-12 Champions Trophy in Lahore.

Wasim, however, told Dawn after a training session on Thursday, "to me it is a 'golden'and not the last chance for the team".

"I believe many members of the team will be in form till the next Champions Trophy, so they have more chances ahead", he remarked.

His view is that it is a golden opportunity for Pakistan because almost all other teams had inducted fresh blood but the home team was an experienced one.

Wasim disclosed that he had not taken a decision about his retirement and wanted to continue after the Champions Trophy.

"I think Spain, New Zealand and Holland are the three tough rivals in the competition but we have to show consistency in all the matches to win", he replied to a question.

He pointed out that Pakistan's performance was bad against Spain in Athens Olympics-2004 due to which it could not qualify for the last four. "But Champions Trophy is a tougher competition as every match is a final and the boys have to show consistency in all encounters", he said.

He specified that the team management was concentrating in removing the shortcomings in the team noticed in Athens and it was observed that inconsistency was a major problem.

Samiullah while reiterating that the team had a last chance to win added that he hoped to see the team on the victory stand.

Meanwhile, coach Asif Bajwa informed that all the 21 probables had reported to the training camp which resumed after Eid holidays.

He said that all the probables were fit and the fact that all of them were present on the first day after the holidays was a positive sign. The 18-member team will be selected on Nov 24 in the presence of head coach Roelant Oltmans who is due to join the camp from Nov 23.

It seems Oltmans is not showing much interest in the selection of the team as he will arrive only a day before the final squad is announced.

In the past, Oltmans had been selecting the team for every event.