INCHEON: Pakistan and India meet for the first time in hockey’s new format when the arch-rivals clash in a mouth-watering pool ‘A’ match at the Asian Games on Thursday.

Almost a year on from their last meeting at the Asian Champions Trophy where Pakistan edged a nail-biter 5-4, the two teams clash in the all-changed format of the game which sees four 15-minute quarters instead of 35-minute halves.

Having won their opening two matches, defending champions Pakistan are in high spirits heading into the match at the Munhak Hockey Stadium.

“We’ve got a winning record over India in the last few years and we’ve played well in the opening two games here so we’re well-prepared for the challenge ahead,” Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran said on Wednesday.

Pakistan face Oman in their final pool match on Saturday and a win against India, who have won all their three games so far, would ensure the greenshirts will finish top of the pool regardless of the outcome of their last game.

“Indo-Pak matches are always high-pressure games and holding nerves will be key,” Imran, whose side hammered Sri Lanka 14-0 before winning 2-0 against China in their second match, added.

The architect of Pakistan’s hard-fought victory over China was Mohammad Dilber who scored one and set up the other. And the teenaged forward was looking forward to the game against India.

“We all are aware of importance of this match back home and we want to win it for hockey supporters in Pakistan and our supporters here,” he said.

Like millions back home, the Pakistani community in Korea has shown great interest in the fortunes of the hockey team and have turned up in great numbers to support the team.

But Pakistan will have to be vary of a familiar figure in India’s assistant coach Reolent Oltmans of the Netherlands.

Oltmans coached Pakistan in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and he expects the match to be a thrilling one. “Matches between Pakistan and India have always been tough, exciting and dramatic and we may see another thriller tomorrow,” Oltmans said.

Pakistan coach Shahnaz Shaikh, meanwhile, said his sides can’t afford to miss scoring chances against India. “We missed a few chances against China but we can’t afford to do that against India,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 25th , 2014