LAHORE, Sept 3: Pakistan has been placed in a relatively easy pool alongwith China, Bangladesh and Malaysia in the 14th Busan Asian Games Hockey competition and face China in their opening match Sept 30.

Pakistan once a force to reckon are now a pale shadow of their glittering past and are struggling at the international scene to fetch glory, despite strenuous efforts of the people at the helm of hockey affairs who are trying every method to have a winning combination to revive the game.

In the Asian Games,the green shirted Pakistanis will be facing real threat from high flying South Koreans or arch rivals India, if they qualify to the semifinals as in the pool matches.

A win in the Asian Games will help Pakistan to rebuild their tainted image and will definitely infuse a new life in the game back home where people are desperately awaiting to see their side ending a victory drought.

Following is the programme of the matches made available by Pakistan Hockey Federation Tuesday. (Sep 30) India vs Hong Kong, Japan vs South Korea, Pakistan vs China. (Oct 2) Bangladesh vs Malaysia, India vs Japan, Hong Kong vs South Korea. (Oct 4) China vs Malaysia, Bangladesh vs Pakistan, South Korea vs India. (Oct 6) Japan vs Hong Kong, Malaysia vs Pakistan, Bangladesh vs China. (0ct 9) A3 vs B4, A4 vs B3 (5th-8th) (0ct 10) A1 vs B2, A2 vs B1 (semifinals) (Oct 11) loser of 17th vs loser of 19th (7th-8th place), winner of 17th vs winner of 19th (5th-6th place) (Oct 12) loser of 21st vs loser of 22nd (3rd and 4th place), winner of 21st vs winner of 22nd (final).—APP