August 10, 2008	Sunday	Sha’aban 7, 1429

BEIJING, Aug 9: Pakistan coach Naveed Alam said here on Saturday that his team was totally geared up for the opening game against Great Britain and were looking for a morale-boosting start to the Olympic campaign.

“We are confident about taking off in style against Great Britain with victory. The team is united, motivated and eager to reach the top,” said Naveed.

The 12-nation Olympic hockey event opens on Monday when Pakistan take on Great Britain in their pool “B” match.

“I am not being over confident but this Pakistan team has the ability to produce good results and the players are fully motivated to deliver their best,” he stated.

Ex-Olympian Naveed insisted that Pakistan team was not daunted by the presence of reigning Olympic champions Australia and the formidable Netherlands in their pool.

“Pakistan team is well equipped and ready to meet all challenges in the Beijing Olympics. We have beaten them in the past and are capable of doing it again here.”

Naveed, who took up the senior team’s coaching seven months ago, said he was expecting the forward line and the penalty corner specialists to fire on all cylinders in crucial games. “We have experienced forwards in Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi with talented players like Waqas Sharif, Waqas Akbar and Abbas Haider backing them up.”

He dispelled the impression regarding the team’s defence being a weak area. “No it’s not. Goalie Salman Akbar, Nasir Ahmed, Mohammad Imran, Warsi are well experienced with young Mohammad Zubair in the back-up,” he maintained. “With Mohammad Saqlain and Adnan Maqsood in the mid-field, Pakistan has a fairly strong defence.”

Naveed said team management headed by Khawaja Zakauddin was working hard with each player and were trying to make them mentally and psychologically strong to meet the challenge ahead.—APP