KARACHI, March 10: Malaysia juniors hockey coach Sarjit Singh on Wednesday said India have slightly better skills than their arch-rivals Pakistan, especially in the penalty corner department.

"I feel Indians are better, slightly better than Pakistan. Their short corner striker Sandeep Singh is the main difference which makes them better than Pakistan," the coach opined.

Singh said it was Sandeep's scintillating performance that forced Pakistan to lose against Indian juniors in a tournament organized by Poland last year. "Sandeep was very good and it was because of him that Pakistan lost conceding four goals in Poland," he added.

Singh's side lost all the four games against India juniors before coming to Pakistan. Malaysia lost the first encounter 1-4, before losing 2-4, 0-5 and 5-6.

"And it was not only their penalty corner department, overall Indians are slightly superior to Pakistan," he praised. The coach, however, said India and Pakistan tours were nothing more than an opportunity for his team to hone up its skills.

"We were in India and are now in Pakistan as part of build-up to Junior Asia Cup to be staged here at the same venue in April. That event is our major concern." Singh said Wednesday's defeat was purely because of fine display of hockey by Pakistan.

"It is simple. Pakistan played well, especially in the second half they were even better. At the moment, weak defence is the major grey area of our side," the coach said hoping his players would come up with a better performance on Thursday.