LAHORE: Claiming that he has no fear of losing, Pakistan hockey team head coach ex-Olympian Akhtar Rasool has expressed hope that his team will produce better performance in the Champions Trophy, scheduled to commence from Dec 1 in Melbourne, as compared to 2012 London Games.

Talking to Dawn on the eve of team’s departure to Perth on Tuesday where they will first play a nine-a-side tournament from Thursday, the head coach said: “We are answerable to God and the nation for the performance of the team, but currently I’m not concerned about any dismal performance of the side.

“We have selected the team on merit and kept fitness and form the only criteria before giving nod to every player,” said Akhtar, who captained Pakistan’s 1982 World Cup-winning team.

It is to be noted that it is for the first time that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has dissolved the national selection committee and made head coaches of senior and junior teams responsible for selection affairs.

Stating that the upcoming tournament would be a tough one with all top-ranked teams of the world featuring, Akhtar said he hoped that his team comprising both seniors and juniors would produce a better show.

“We have given chance to a couple of new players and they are looking in good shape to deliver in order to cement their places in the national team,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that the head coach has ignored senior players Sohail Abbas and Rehan Butt as he was not satisfied with their performance in the London Olympics where Pakistan finished seventh, though before 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Aussies they were on the brink of playing the semi-final.

Akhtar however recalled mid-fielder Waseem Ahmad who had called it a day soon after the end of 2012 London Games.

Talking about the training and fitness of the players, Akhtar said their fitness was given top priority during the training camp and he was quite satisfied with it.

“Stamina and fitness are two key factors which remain vital in European teams’ victories, and keeping that in view we have laid more emphasis on fitness and stamina,” the head coach maintained.

Akhtar seemed somewhat worried about his team’s late departure on Tuesday since his boys will have to meet a stiff challenge of facing Australia in Perth on Thursday in the first match of the nine-a-side tournament.

“After almost 24 hours flight we will have just one day before meeting Australia, and I am quite worried about fatigue that a long journey may easily cause,” Akhtar added.

The head coach also vowed that he would not tolerate any indiscipline in the team, saying that he has already dealt severely with defender Mohammad Irfan by axing him from the training camp for not reporting on time.

Later on, the PHF disciplinary committee headed by Wasey Jalil suspended Irfan for six months from international activities besides imposing a cash fine of Rs100,000. However, Irfan has submitted a mercy appeal before PHF president Qasim Zia, who will hear the player’s point of view on Nov 23.