KARACHI, March 11: Pakistan’s opening match against World Champion Germany will set the trend and decide the outcome of Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament in Ipoh (Malaysia) which push-off from March 22, said team’s captain Muhammed Nadeem. “German’s are best team and if our boys emerged victorious against them then we got good chance to regain the title”, left winger Nadeem told APP on Tuesday on the eve of his team’s departure for Kuala Lumpur.

The 30-year-old Gojra-born Nadeem said, whatever be the composition of the German team if Pakistan did well against them it would be a great morale booster.

However, he said as best six teams wouldb be battling for the honour, they will not take any team lightly.

The Azlan Shah Cup will be played at Ipoh from March 22 to 30 and besides Pakistan, holder Germany, India, South Korea, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia will be taking part.

Nadeem said he was also looking forward of his team’s clash against arch-rival India on March 26. “Though they beat us 4-3 in the Asian Games in Busan but we want to win against them in Ipoh”.

He fully agreed that it was a bad year for national hockey in 2002 but expressed the confidence that his main objective as captain would be to restore the tarnished image of the team and perform well in coming events.

“It’s not easy but boys worked very hard in the camp. Mentally and physically are prepared for the task ahead”, he said.

The 220 capped player after making his debut against Germany at Frankfurt in 1993, said it was a great honor that he has been named captain.

“My ambition is to do well for the country and make the team a strong and winning combination”.

Nadeem was member of the Pakistan team in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

Commenting on the decline of hockey, Nadeem said because of lack of interest among the youngsters.

“Youngsters are more inclined to cricket because of too much focus on cricket due to electronic media”, he pointed out.

The team leaves for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday morning.—APP