LAHORE, March 27: Pakistan play another major rival Kuwait in its third match of the Beijing Olympics qualifying round (U-21) football at Punjab Stadium on Wednesday.
The Kuwaiti team arrived in Lahore on Tuesday morning and held a practice session under floodlights.
Having earlier lost to Bahrain 8-0 in Bahrain, Pakistan despite showing some resistance against Qatar at Islamabad lost again 2-0.
Pakistan skipper, Zahid Hameed, said that though Kuwait was a formidable rival his boys would try to play with great confidence to earn better results.
"We are low in ranking compared to Kuwait but will try our level best to give better performance, before a home crowd to clinch a win," he said. He said all players were fit for the game.
He pointed out that Pakistani players got a good opportunity of playing against big teams of the world after qualifying for the main qualifying round.
Pakistan, qualified for the main qualifying round after beating Singapore at home and away basis.
The captain commended coach Mohammad Rasheed saying that he was working hard to continue the good work done by Bahrain's coach Salman Sharida.
Pakistan are 170th in world ranking while Kuwait are placed in 84th position.
Kuwait manager, Tariq El Asghar said he wanted a win to score three more points.
A win against Pakistan will help Kuwait retain their top position in the competition.
"It should not be hard for us since we are in a better position because we are the leaders of Group A, but I will not underestimate Pakistan in tomorrow's game", he said.
He said Pakistan was a strong team as it gave impressive performance against Qatar after losing to Bahrain tamely.
Tariq said the weather was good and he was expecting a thrilling game.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has announced 20-member squad for the match, which will kick off at 7am.
Midfielder Abdul Aziz, the hero of SAF Games 2004, who missed match against Qatar at Islamabad due to suspension following double Yellow card, and Mohammad Imran (Army), who had to leave the camp due to injury, have been included in the final squad. It will be third match of both teams in Group-A. Kuwait, after 2-2 draw with Qatar at Doha, thrashed Bahrain 3-0. Pakistan, on the other hand, lost both matches.
The top two teams of the Group will move to the final qualifying stage, which will comprise 12 teams. This phase will be played between Aug 22 and Nov 21 this year.
Pakistan squad:
Goal Keepers (2) : Mehmood Ahmed, Ghulam Nabi
Defenders (7) : Muhammad Shahid, Abbas Ali, Haji Muhammad, Samar Ishaq, IMuhammad Imran, Yasir Afridi, Muhammad Ahmed
Midfielders (5) : Zahid Hameed (c), Mubashar Hussain, Abdul Aziz, Farooq Shah (VC), Ghulam Mustafa.
Strikers (6) : Nasr Ullah Khan, Muhammad Rasool, Abid Khan, Faheem Riaz, Adnan Bari, Imran Niazi
Officials:
Manager: Mohammad Irfan Khan Niazi. Coach: Mohammad Rasheed). Assistant coach: Gohar Zaman,, Muhammad Afzal. Doctor: Physio: Dr.Kamran Mehdi.
Kuwait:
Goal-Keepers: Khaled M. AlRashidi, Hameed S. Youssef.
Defenders: Faisal M. Dashti, Abdul Aziz H. Rakeb, Hammad M. Alobaidli, Ali A. AlMaqseed, Khaled A. Alqahtani, Hussain A. Alqhareeb.
Midfielders: Fahad A. Shaheen (Kuwait), Edbrahim A. Saleh (Kuwait ), Talal. N. Alenzi (Naser), Maged Kh. Alenezi (Yarmuk), Husain M. Almosawi (Arabi), Fahed E. Alebrahim (Qadsia), Bader A. Almotawaa (Captain).
Strikers: Hamad N. Alenezi, Ali A. Alkandari, Abdullah A. Almutawa, Abdul Rahman Alawadhi.
The 10 officials are : Waes Al-Habashi (Head of Delegation), Tariq E. Asqhar (Manager), Vladimir Petrovic (Coach), Jamal Al Qabandi, Nenad Nonkovic ( Assistant Coaches), Khalifah M. Al-Rashidi (Goalkeeper Coach), Dr. Patrik Mihok ( Doctor), Maher F. Helwa ( Physiotherapist), Lubos Barborik ( Masseur) and Farag Sayed Ezz (Kitman).
