Four-time winners Pakistan hope for positive start against Germany

Four-time champions Pakistan would look to shrug off years of disappointment and a chaotic build up when they take on higher-ranked Germany in their opening match of the men's hockey World Cup here Saturday.

The most successful team in the history of the World Cup with four titles, the last of which came in the early 90's, Pakistan hockey has witnessed a steady decline in the last two-and-a-half decades.

Once a formidable force in world hockey, Pakistan have now slumped to 13th position in world rankings, mainly due to lack of exposure and mismanagement and years of apathy by the national federation (PHF).

Such is the condition of Pakistan hockey that their participation in the ongoing World Cup was in serious doubts due to lack of funds and it took a last minute intervention from Haier Pakistan to ensure the team's appearance in the tournament.

The home appliance company came in as a last-minute sponsor and released nine million Pakistani rupees to cover the team's expenses in the tournament.

Pakistan's build up has been far from rosy as Tauqeer Dar, a member of 1984 World Cup winning side, took over the reigns of the team only earlier this month after Roelant Oltmans quit from the position just four months into the job before the Asian Champions Trophy in Oman.

Despite boasting of a rich World Cup history, few people are counting Pakistan in the tournament as their last world title came way back in 1994.

But in the last eight years, Pakistan hockey has slumped to the lowest ebb, having returned with the wooden spoon (12th) from New Delhi in 2010 and then failed to qualify for the last edition at the Hague, Netherlands in 2014.

Pakistan have been going through a bleak period in recent times. They stuttered in qualifying, but somehow managed to finish seventh in the Hockey World League Semifinals in London to secure their place in the World Cup