ISLAMABAD, July 22: Wishing the hockey team best of luck, former Olympian Shahnaz Shaikh on Thursday outlined four key areas which if properly addressed could help Pakistan win their first Olympic gold in almost 20 years.

In an exclusive interview with Dawn, Shahnaz said that the composition of the team on a given day, strategy for the match, its proper execution and, coordination between the bench and the players during play would determine Pakistan's fate.

"If the team managers are able to get all these things right, I think the boys can bring home the gold."

Pakistan last won an Olympic gold in 1984 at Los Angeles but have since faltered in successive Games at Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney.

Athens 2004 now provides what Shahnaz says is a good opportunity for a team that comprises the best available players. "Although our pool of players has shrunk, the squad for the Games is a fine combination."

He supported the omission of former captain Muhammad Sarwar and Imran Khan. "Sarwar should not have been brought back in the first place, it was a wrong decision."

Coach Roelant Oltmans, had called up Sarwar after taking over the Pakistan job last year. But the player, who led Pakistan at the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, was unable to impress during the recent European tour.

Shahnaz, who has himself previously managed the Pakistan squad, advised the party to try and win each match and not have revenge on mind, especially when taking on the mighty Germans.

Pakistan were beaten four times by world champions Germany during their Euro trip and interestingly face the same side in their opening match in Athens.

"The boys should look ahead and forget whatever happened in the past months, they should approach the Games with fresh minds and think positively."

At the Athens Games, Pakistan, besides Germany are bracketed with Korea, England, Egypt and Spain.

"Traditionally Pakistan tend to do well if they make a good start, so the first match against Germany will be very important in that context."

Shahnaz pointed out that victory against the Germans would mean that "50 per cent" of the job of qualifying for the semifinals to have been done.

"Although, there's nothing like a win yet a draw with Germany wouldn't be a bad achievement either."

Shahnaz felt that Pakistan needed to improve their attacking force and the defenders should not allow gaps to the rival forwards as they did in Europe. "The players should be careful not to concede goals in the first 15 minutes and the last quarter of play."

"If Pakistan are able to win that elusive Olympic gold, it would help revive our hockey; we have not won a major title for years now and capturing a gold would be just the kind of tonic the sport needs.