'Pak junior hockey team is not nervous about playing in India'

New Delhi: Pakistani players had to return without playing a single match in Hockey India League early this year but their junior team is not 'nervous' about coming to India for the upcoming World Cup and is expecting good support from the fans during the tournament.

Nine Pakistan players were sent back from the country in January due to simmering tension at the border.

Pakistan coach Mazur ul Hassan hoped that since the two arch-rivals are not in the same pool, fans would apreciate their game in other matches.

Pakistan are placed in pool A alongside Germany, Egypt and Belgium while India are in pool C with Canada, Korea and Netherlands for the December 6-15 event.

"Our players are not nervous. It's an FIH tournament and everyone wants to focus on game only. On the basis of my experience of playing in India, I can say that good hockey will be encouraged. Our team can expect good support from the crowd as we are not in the same pool with India," Pakistan Junior Hockey coach Mazur ul Hassan told PTI-Bhasha from Lahore where the preparatory camp is being held.

Hassan, a member of Pakistani team during the 1982 Asian Games, said playing in India will be a memorable experience for his team.

"The beauty of hockey still lies in India and Pakistan. Artificial turf and new rules have ruined it partially but still you can admire the beauty of the game when India and Pakistan are playing. India has glorious past in hockey and produced legends. It will be a memorable experience for youngsters to play there," he said.

Captain Mohammad Umer Bhutta said the players are excited about playing in India.

"The atmosphere is same in both the countries as far as hockey matches are concerned. I have seen packed stadium in Delhi during India-Pakistan match in 2010 WC and I hope that it will be repeated when both the team face each other in Junior WC," said the striker who also played during 2010 CWG, London Olympic, Champions trophy and recently Asian Champions trophy in Japan where Pakistan won gold medal.Bhutta also feels that India will have an edge over other teams as they are playing before home crowd.

"Indian team is very strong and they will have an edge as they are playing at home. Our pool is tough but we have also worked hard on our weaknesses. The confidence level of players is high post Japan win," he said.

When asked about the preparations, he said that they have good a good combination after experimenting new things in Sultan Johor Cup.

"We have tried several new things, new combinations in Johor cup as we wanted to find a winning combination for WC. We came to know about our weaknesses and worked hard on those especially in penalty corner area," said the captain.

Hassan, who took the charge in Johor Cup, said he did not have enough time to build a team but is ready to accept the challenge on the basis of his faith on his players talent.

"2-3 months is not an ideal time to build a team but I have accepted it as a challenge. We have worked hard earlier in Islamabad camp and now in Lahore. I hope that players will not let me down," said the former Olympian.

Pakistani team will reach India on December 2 and open their campaign against Egypt on December 6.