May 27, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1428

LAHORE, May 26: Pakistan under-21 football captain Zahid Hameed said on Saturday although local coach had been working hard, team under a qualified coach would have produced better results at Olympic qualifiers.

Pakistan, who are without its Bahraini coach Salman Ahmed Sharida since Doha Asian Games last December, gave a pathetic performance under coach Mohammad Rasheed who had served as Sharida’s deputy.

"Our performance in the qualifiers is encouraging except the 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Bahrain on their soil. We managed to keep them away from scoring goals for 40 to 60 minutes that shows we are improving," he said.

Pakistan qualified for the main qualifiers after beating Singapore in pre-qualifying round on home and away basis. Except the victories against Singapore, Pakistan lost all their matches against Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait in qualifying round.

Pakistan, who play against Qatar in their last qualifying round match in Doha on June 6, are training at Punjab Stadium. The team leaves for Doha on June 4. Altogether 24 probables are attending the camp and team is likely to be announced in next couple of days.

"Though our opponents are strong in all departments and we will also be playing without any big achievement in the main qualifiers, but we will go all out against Qatar to give a better performance,” Zahid said and added he would prefer attacking game rather a defensive approach.

"PFF is giving more exposure to the players. The daily allowance has been increased a bit. Pakistan will perform better if PFF continues patronage in next four or five years," the captain said but suggested that team needed physical trainer and weight training facilities.