Lahore, Sept 17: Pakistan's hockey team left for Malaysia today, hopeful of winning the Asia Cup and reviving the fortunes of the former giants of the game. "We are very hopeful to clinch the gold medal in Asia Cup and this will provide a real boost to our efforts to revive our splendid past," Coach Tahir Zaman told a news agency, before the team left for the eight-nation tournament, which begins in Kuala Lumpur on September 21.

Pakistan, winner of three Olympic and four world titles, have not won the quadrennial Asia Cup since 1989 and finished a worst ever fourth in last year's tournament in Busan, South Korea. Defending champions South Korea are grouped with Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong. Arch rivals Pakistan and India meet on September 24 in the last match of Group B which also includes Bangladesh and China.

The winner of the Asia Cup will get direct entry into the 2006 World Cup in Germany. India, with eight Olympic titles, beat Pakistan by a record scoreline of 7-4 at last month's champions trophy in The Netherlands but Pakistan avenged through a 4-3 win in the play-off to finish third in the tournament.

India will sorely miss penalty corner expert Jugraj Singh who is sidelined due to serious injuries he sustained in a car accident earlier this month.

Bureau Report