KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team will qualify for next year's Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) despite the difficulties it has been facing, chief coach Shahnaz Shaikh assured on Wednesday.

“Our team has learnt a great deal during their recent sojourn to Australia and the players will benefit more from the World Hockey League,” he told APP in an interview ahead of his team's departure for Seoul, where it will play four-match series against South Korea.

Pakistan's matches against South Korea will be played on May 19, 21, 23 and May 24.

He said Pakistan is currently ranked 10th in International Hockey Federation's (FIH) list and they have played against world number one Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, but they fought well as per their firepower and strength.

He dispelled the impressions that it was a hallow statement saying that Pakistan won the Champions Trophy silver medal in India and silver in the Incheon Asian Games last year.

Hockey World League will be held at Belgium city of Antwerp from June 20 to July 5.

Pakistan is drawn in pool “A” with Australia, France, India and Poland while host Belgium China, Great Britain, Ireland and Malaysia are placed in pool “B”. Pakistan will take on Poland in their opening match on June 20.

“It was not an easy tour to Australia as we played in temperatures less than 10 degree Celsius in after doing training in 40 degree Celsius at Lahore,” the former Olympian, said.

“It was not an easy task to adjust quickly in a totally different climate and environment,” he pointed out. He said Pakistan was without two of their best players, half back Rashid Mahmood and forward Muhammad Rizwan Senior, as they were playing Dutch League in the Netherlands.

Both players are set to return to the national team for the tour of South Korea.

Shahnaz Shaikh said he was satisfied with the progress and performance of the team keeping in view all the problems they facing.

He recalled that team was facing serious financial constrains with little number pool of players at the national level.

He praised the players and his supporting staff that despite financial problems they are serving the nation with their utmost dedication.