JOHOR BAHRU, June 13 Pakistan take on title rivals Australia here on Sunday in the first of their three crunch matches in the second round of the 9th Junior World Cup Hockey Tournament.

Pakistan will need to win at least two of the three second-round matches to ensure passage to the semi-finals of the tournament being jointly played here and in nearby Singapore under a new format.

Pakistan will cross the Johor Strait into the city-state of Singapore to clash with New Zealand on Monday before returning here to face another formidable opponent South Korea on Wednesday to complete their schedule in the eight-team second round divided into two pools.

A second title has eluded Pakistan ever since their victory in the inaugural edition at Versailles, France, way back in 1979 under the leadership of the then star Manzoor Jr.

That they qualified for the second round, is indicative of the inherent capability of the present squad to break the 30-year title jinx here, should factors like luck and timely form favour them.

Australia have also lifted the trophy once in 1997 but they are always a tough side to beat at both the senior and junior levels.

“We are not taking them lightly but we have devised a game plan to counter Australia,” Pakistan coach Khwaja Junaid said.

“We plan to frustrate them in their usual tactics of taking an early lead and then defending doggedly,” he said.

Junaid said the qualification for the second round had given the boys a new confidence and they were eager to prove their mettle against the Aussies.

The Pakistan-Australia encounter rolls off at 5.30pm (PST). In another Pool 'F' match here, South Korea will play New Zealand while in the two Pool 'E' matches in Singapore, Holland will be up against Spain and Germany will take on Argentina.

In the 20-team preliminary round, Pakistan had chalked up handsome victories against Russia, Egypt and defending champions Argentina but then inexplicably lost to Belgium 1-2 in the last Pool 'A' match on Friday.

“We missed nearly half a dozen chances, mostly from field efforts, against Belgium and that proved our undoing,” Junaid said.

“Nevertheless, I am sure the team is capable of making amends in the coming match against Australia and in the subsequent battle for the title,” the head coach said.

He said forward Abbas Haider will make a comeback against Australia after missing the Belgium game through suspension.

Pakistan have been placed in Pool 'F' of the second round while Pool 'E' comprises four times champions Germany, reigning champions Argentina, Holland and Spain.

In contrast to Pakistan, the current Asian junior champions India failed to advance to the second round. —APP