LILLE: Pakistan will take on Poland in their last round robin match of the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers at the Metropole Hockey Club here on Saturday (today). The green shirts have already qualified for the final to be played on Sunday (tomorrow) at the same venue. Pakistan are also likely to qualify for the World Cup to be held in New Delhi, India next year from February 28 to March 13. Pakistan, who have beaten Italy 5-0, Russia 5-0, France 4-2 and Japan 6-1, are all set to down Poland to play the final as the top outfit of the six-team competition. The other finalists will be decided after the matches between France-Japan and Russia-Italy today. Pakistan are looking forward to play second seeds Japan in the final: Coach Shahid Ali Khan told reporters Friday he would like to play Japan again in the final instead of hosts France, who are also in contention for a place in the big match. “We are ready for all the teams but personally I would like to play against Japan in the final because France will have the home advantage. They will be playing in front of the home crowd in familiar conditions so they will be a bit tough to beat than Japan,” he maintained. France may not be a top team but they are looking good in this tournament. Shahid, a former Olympian, was happy with his team’s performance, saying that the boys were doing a good job despite playing in freezing conditions. 12 teams will take part in the World Cup. Nine teams have already qualified for the mega event through continental rounds while three teams will be selected after playing qualifying rounds. Pakistan, winners of three Olympic gold medals and four World Cups, failed to earn a place in the World Cup when they were defeated in the Asia Cup 2009 final. The green shirts, who remained up in the clouds for more than three decades, are striving hard for a big title since winning the 1994 World Cup in Australia.
TABLE
Team P W D L GF GA PTS
Pakistan 4 4 0 0 20 3 12
Japan 4 3 0 1 11 8 9
Poland 4 2 1 1 10 7 7
France 4 2 1 1 11 9 7
Russia 4 0 0 4 4 15 0
Italy 4 0 0 4 1 15 0
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