| GEO Sports | | Pakistan must win Asia Cup to qualify for World Cup hockey | Updated at: 1300 PST, Tuesday, May 12, 2009
KUANTAN: Pakistan has to win ongoing 8th Asia Cup Hockey crown to qualify for the next year's World Cup to be held New Delhi.
"We must win Asia Cup here to qualify for the World Cup", Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan told. He dispelled the impression that Pakistan can qualify automatically for the global contest even if they reached the final with India. He said as per the International Hockey Federation (FIH) ruling, only the winners of this continental contest will be qualifying for the World Cup.
India has already qualified for the World Cup as the host, he pointed out. He informed that in case Indian retains the Asia Cup, one team from Oceania either from Australia and New Zealand would qualify after a series between the two countries to be held next months.
In case, Pakistan fails to win the competition here they have to appear in the qualifying rounds. "We would be going all out to win here to make things easy for us. We need element of luck to win here. Its tough task, but boys are motivated after Indian win," he added.
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