KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Kashmir English): The Pakistan national hockey team kick off their Nations Cup campaign today against hosts Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Pakistan is playing the tournament alongside several top-tier international sides.
The Men in Green need both resilience and tactical precision to make their mark in the opener.
Former great of the game and Head coach Tahir Zaman has acknowledged that the uphill task awaiting his side.
“This is going to be a challenging situation,” he said and added the Men in Green are up against highly ranked teams that have been consistently active on the international circuit.
Malaysia, in particular, have been in fine form, having toured Australia and Korea recently.
Facing Malaysia on home soil, especially in a tournament opener, is never an easy task as the latter will have the home crowd behind them, and they’re used to playing in these conditions, Zaman said.
On the opening day of the tournament, besides Pakistan-Malaysia clash, New Zealand will square off against Japan, while in Group A, France will lock horns with Korea, and Wales will meet South Africa.
Hockey Cup schedule
The Nations Hockey Cup will run in Malaysia from 15th to 21st of this month.
Pakistan is in Pool B alongside New Zealand, Malaysia, and Japan.
Pool A consists of France, South Korea, South Africa, and Wales.
