Sreejesh eagerly awaits Pakistan clash

Indian hockey team's goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh is eagerly waiting for the clash against Pakistan in the Hockey World League (HWL) semi final which will be played here from June 20 to July 5.

"For me our clash against Pakistan will be the most awaited," said the 27-year-old custodian.

"The team in the last few weeks has worked on various combinations and strategies keeping in mind the important tournaments that are lined up in the next 14 months."

India have been placed in Pool A with Australia, France, Pakistan and Poland in the 10-team tournament. The top-4 teams will qualify for the HWL Final to be played in India in November-December. While India will start their campaign against France on June 20, they will take on arch-rivals Pakistan on June 26.

"The new way of attacking with 10 and defending with 10 gives me that extra confidence as now I feel my fort has been strengthened. This will give us that extra edge and I am hoping that this will help put the pressure and in the meantime also allow us to score through those half opportunities," said the Kerala-born.