Pakistan

LAHORE: Defending champions Holland termed Pakistan their toughest rivals in the Champions Trophy which is starting at the National Hockey Stadium here fron December 4.

“The toughest task is to beat Pakistan at their home ground. However, we are fully prepared to thwart their challenge,” said Dutch captain Jeroen Delmee upon their arrival on Wednesday. “The most beautiful game of the tournament for us will be playing Pakistan and we are looking forward to the clash. I believe it would be one of the toughest matches of the tournament,” he added.

He pointed out that the Dutch side had little time for the preparations which may become a problem for them. “We did not have adequate time to prepare for this tough event and we will be playing altogether three practice matches before the tournament. I think less practice and preparation could become a problem for us.”

He said apart from Pakistan they were considering Spain as dangerous rivals. Playing down security fears in Pakistan, he said they discussed this aspect with Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans, who is coaching the Pakistan team, and he assured them that nothing was wrong with security.

Dutch team’s Australian coach Terry Walsh endorsed the idea of his captain and rated Pakistan their toughest rivals in the tournament. Answering a question, he said the absence of Australia had deprived them for taking revenge of their loss in the final of the Athens Olympics. “Now the immediate task is to inspire the players to deliver the goods,” he concluded. app

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