Aiming for a top-3 finish in junior hockey: Pakistan captain

Pakistan captain Umar Bhutta said that the former champions are determined to finish among top-three in the Junior World Cup Hockey that will be played here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from Friday.

Pakistan, who were champions in the inaugural edition in 1979, are in tough Pool A with record five-time champions Germany, Belgium and Egypt.

Bhutta, who has played in the 2012 London Games, said Pool A is the toughest in the tournament.

"Our pool is the toughest among all the four Pools. Besides us, our pool has Germany and Belgium which will prove to be a tough fight for all the four teams," said Bhutta after a training session here Tuesday.

He said Pakistan are an experienced side since nine players in the squad have already made their international debut with the senior team.

"We have a very competitive team with nine players from the senior team and which helps us create the required balance. We are hoping to finish at the top three in the tournament," he said.

Coach Anjum Saeed said the players are technically sound.

"This team is technically very strong and we are aware that they have to keep their cool during the pool matches. It will help us move ahead on the table. The players are determined to win the pool matches and go ahead in the tournament," he said.

Anjum also sought to clear the controversy on the age of some of the players.

"The entire team assures you that the controversy around the age of some players is baseless and I think we all are smart enough to understand that these allegations have no base. The boys are completely focusing on their first game and are not giving any thoughts to such issues," he said.