LAHORE, Aug 31: Chief selector of Pakistan hockey team Akhtar Rasool is quite satisfied with the team's performance at Athens where it finished fifth in the 12-team competition.

"I think it is the best team as it scored plenty of goals and Sohail Abbas was the top-scorer," he said. Asked how he could describe a team which had lost both the crunch matches, against Germany and Spain as the best, Akhter responded that against Germany the team fought well and it was not a bad score, however, against the Spaniards it was just a bad day.

About the possibility of players being mentally weak as after losing a medal spot they played much better because they were not under any pressure, the former Olympian denied the impression saying if such were the case, they would not have clicked in the remaining matches.

He said that the players needed encouragement as the Indian series and the Champions Trophy, two important tournaments were ahead of them. He avoided commenting on the performance of coach Roelant Oltmans and only said it was a good experience.

Having no intention to quit his post, Akhter said that sacked Mohammad Saqlain would be considered for the series against India and the Champions Trophy. Saqlain had been punished for his domineering attitude and he hoped the player would not behave in the same manner in future, the chief selector remarked.