Times of India: India, Pak skippers set ‘opening’

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India, Pak skippers set ‘opening’ tenor for Hockey World Cup

NEW DELHI: Pressure is the key. That was one point India and Pakistan readily agreed on during a media conference, setting the tone for their hockey World Cup opener on Sunday.

For Pakistan, beating India in India is the ultimate aim as it will boost their confidence ahead of their other league matches. “A win against India will be just what we need. We realise the pressure will be on both teams. But the team which overcomes the pressure will fare well,” Pakistan skipper Zeeshan Ashraf said.

Ashraf felt the first three matches will provide enough indications about who will qualify for the semifinals. “For that we need to have a good opening match,” he said.

India’s skipper Rajpal Singh, who hoped his team too would reach the last-four sector, too felt that it was good India were facing Pakistan first. “It will toughen us up for the other battles,” he said.

With dragflickers being in the limelight, Zeeshan said his team would be relying on Sohail Abbas to deliver the goods.