KARACHI, July 12: China, after showing promise against the national junior side, face a tougher task ahead when they meet Pakistan on Sunday in the first game in the Pakistan-China friendship hockey series.

While Pakistan are expected to have practice against the Chinese at Steel Mills ground, the visitors will gain much-needed experience to prepare themselves for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Although China lost 5-2 and 3-2 to Pakistan Juniors earlier, they gave their opponents a testing time, especially during the second encounter. But it was not only China’s improved performance, but lack of firepower of Pakistan strikers in the first half, missed chances and brittle defence also allowed the visitors to fight back.

But against Pakistan senior side, it is expected to be a different story. The greenshirts, who have assembled here in the port city to train for next month’s Champions Trophy in the Netherlands, are being anticipated to give tour party a hockey lesson.

The visitors are not boastful and the fact that it would be a one-sided affair has also been accepted by the Chinese coach Khawaja Junaid.

“It will certainly be a one-sided game. All I want from my boys is not to concede too many goals. Pakistan are still a big power in hockey, while my side are still minnows,” Junaid, a former Pakistan Olympian said.

Pakistan’s newly-appointed manager Abdul Rashid Jr had little to say about Sunday’s game.

“It will be the Chinese who will gain benefit from the match as they are on a training tour,” the former centre-forward said.

Whether the game and the series will be of any importance hockey-wise for Pakistan or not, it will certainly be significant for both the countries diplomatically as it will help foster the friendly relations.

The Chinese will play second game against Pakistan on July 14 at the same venue.