Spain hockey coach, Maurits Hendricks has termed hosts Pakistan and defending Champion Holland as favourites but he is dreaming a final of the Champions Ttrophy hockey tournament between Spain and Pakistan. "I wouldn't mind playing final against Pakistan.
It would be a fun match. It will be nice for Pakistan to have a chance to recuperate from Athens (Olympics) and for us possibly a chance to play a great hockey match," he said after his team practised training session here Thursday
He said Pakistan with home advantage and playing conditions and Olympic silver medallist Holland were the hot favourites to win the 26th edition of the Champions Trophy.
He pointed out that there were eight new players in their ranks since Athens Olympics in which they finished fourth ahead of Pakistan.
If I am not wrong we are going through the rebuilding process which takes time and cannot be achieved in short span of time and for which we need to be patient, he said.
But do not rule us out, no matter that we are in the phase of transformation with young blood in the side and we may prove tough opponents in this elite event," he continued.
He said the way the Spanish team is preparing he was confident that it was fully capable to achieve its set goals and to learn more.
"The setback for Spain team is they are without their ace striker Eddie Tubau who scored all the four goals and knocked Pakistan out of semi final contention in Athens Olympics. He is injured and it's very unfortunate that star players like Tubau and Paul Amat both suffered injuries after the Olympics," Hendricks said.
The coach was of the view that Pakistan is always a spirited and tough rival in their backyard especially at Lahore that is the home of hockey.
"It is a very dangerous side-an unpredictable team that has all the abilities to beat any team of the world and my side also looks forward to take a tough challenge," he said.
Haunts Hendricks described the Champions Trophy a tournament of nerves in which only those teams can survive which have the tendency to commit only few mistakes.
" For us it is a very important tournament after the Olympics as he have inducted a lot of new players and now it is the time to assess their performance," he added.
Hendricks said he and his team were given an extremely warm send off by the Indian border security forces and were accorded open hearted welcome by the Pakistan Rangers. Spain team reached Pakistan from India via Wagha Border after a short tour of India.
It was wonderful and memorable experience to have a cup of tea with the commanding officer of Pakistan Rangers at the border," he said.