JOHOR BARU: When the qualification process for the 2014 World Cup ends in November, one or two of the most illustrious hockey playing nations may well find themselves out of the Finals, which will be held in The Hague, Holland, next year.
Former winners India and Pakistan have played in all editions of the World Cup but now face the prospect of being shut out of the 2014 Finals after failing to land one of the qualifying spots in the recently-ended FIH World Hockey League semi-finals in Holland and Johor Baru.
India finished sixth in Holland earlier last month while Pakistan ended up seventh in Johor Baru.
Both teams will now look to the Asia Cup in Ipoh from Aug 24-Sept 1 to book a berth in the World Cup. Only the winners will make the cut.
India and Pakistan will have to contend with hosts Malaysia and South Korea for the sole ticket to The Hague.
Pakistan coach Akhtar Rasool admitted that the Asia Cup would be a “do-or-die” battle for them.
“We had a bad outing in Johor Baru but we didn’ have the full complement of players then as Waseem Ahmad was injured and Rashid Mahmood was not fully fit.
“They are key players in the team. We hope to have them back fully fit for Ipoh as we will go for nothing less than a win,” said Akhtar, who blamed poor finishing as one of the main reasons for their failure in Johor Baru.
But all these teams – India, Pakistan, Malaysia and South Korea – will do well not to take Japan for granted in Ipoh though.
In the Asia Cup, Pakistan are in the same group as Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan.
South Korea, Bangladesh, Oman and India make up the other group.
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