LAHORE, Aug 9: While the contestants will be vying for top honours at elite Champions Trophy this month, Pakistan hockey coach Tahir Zaman on Saturday said even third place would be satisfactory.

“I have a realistic approach and reaching at the victory stand in the toughest event will be enough for me,” the coach said.

Although there is lot of furore in the media around the world on Germany’s decision to field their second-string team in the six-nation event, Tahir said he was not aware of the development.

Pakistan are scheduled to leave on Sunday morning for Amstelveen to compete in the tournament starting from Aug 16 featuring The Netherlands, Germany, Australia, India and Argentina. The team also play two Tests against the Dutch before the contest.

The green shirts play opener against Australia on Aug 16 and Argentina the next day. Hosts The Netherlands meet Pakistan on Aug 19. After a day’s rest Pakistan clash Germany on Aug 21, while they play their last league match against arch-rivals India for Aug 22.

Tahir avoided to disclose the strategy for the two games against the Netherlands and added a victory would boost the morale of the team, but still it would not be a tonic which was needed for a miracle.

“No coach in the world could predict victory at any tournament,” he said.

Asked why he had not set top position as target as was done by former manager/coach Shahnaz Sheikh, Tahir said he did not believe in making tall claims as it would do nothing except raise expectations of the nation.

Asked a drubbing like Pakistan received at the hands of New Zealand at Commonwealth Games in Manchester last year when they lost to Kiwis 7-1 could force the team to fourth or fifth place owing to his “realistic approach,” he replied: “There is a possibility it could happen.”

Tahir said return of three key players — Mohammad Nadeem, Sohail Abbas, and Waseem Ahmad, would boost the morale of his side, but at the same time the trio would be facing pressure as they had to prove their worth.

The three players missed June’s tour to Australia as they went to Germany to play in league despite being asked by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to stay in the country for the training camp.

Nadeem was dropped for the tour Down Under although he returned in the middle of the season, while Sohail and Waseem were included in the squad after Rs0.1million fines.

About the allegations levelled against him by axed defender Tariq Imran he said he should not be blamed for the selection of the team as he was not the sole authority for choosing the players.

Tariq, a PTCL player, has alleged that Tahir wants to eliminate PTCL players from the team and now is promoting players from his own department, National Bank.

“We have PHF, selection committee and team manager. Coach cannot get his blue-eyed boys into the squad,” he argued and said Tariq in fact criticised PHF not him.

Tahir said disciplinary action should be taken against forwards Sameer Hussain and Rehan Butt who were involved in an exchange of abuse and hot words during practice session in Karachi.

“Yes, punishment should be given to those who breached the code of conduct. I was away from the camp to attend my sister’s marriage when the incident happened, while manager Abdul Rashid Junior tackled the issue,” he said.

Tahir admitted players should be united when asked the incident indicated that there were different factions of the players in the team.

Asked why 31 probables had been called for the September’s Asia Cup training camp as the current squad was for Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, he said the team would be the same, but the probables were named to have option in case of an injury to a team member.