High-Stakes Showdown: Pakistan Coach Promises To Surprise India In Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Clash
ABP NewsChennai: Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain on Wednesday admitted that India are ahead of his side in terms of preparations but promised to surprise the hosts in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey match-up between the arch-rivals on August 9. While many teams have expressed their apprehensions about the scheduling of the ACT before the all-important Olympic qualifier Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, next month, Saqlain branded this tournament as a "full-dress rehearsal" of the continental multi-sport event. I credit FIH for having done so, as even if you make mistakes in this competition, you can immediately rectify them before a massive event like the Asian Games," said Saqlain. "In the new penalty corner rule, Pakistan and India have an advantage compared to the Europeans since the shot specialists and goalkeepers of the latter are physically stronger than us.