Hockey

"Wait for the 24th (of July). If they try to prove me as the dirty guy, I will come out with everything I have with me," Van Ass told IBNLive.

This was the last chance for Pakistan to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, after losing the Asian Games final to India in Incheon last year.

For the Rio Olympic dream to sustain, India will have to come out victorious in Thursday's 5-8 position classification match against Italy, who showed their mettle in the quarterfinal encounter with Australia.

India's make-shift penalty corner specialist helped his team come from 1-2 behind to beat Malaysia in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The misfiring Indians enjoy the luxury of having already qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games, but Pakistan have promised to go all-out into attack in Friday's sub-continental contest.

"We have been delivering as a unit and ensuring that we do not give up ball possession easily. Our target from here is to take a clean sweep in the pool phase", says Lalit Upadhyay

"I must say I was surprised by India not throwing everything into the attack," said Belgian coach Pascal Kina.

"Each player is aware of this and is ensuring that he has to do his job as there is very less scope for mistakes," said Akashdeep.

Australia on Tuesday went with experience as they announced an 18-member squad for the 10-team Hockey World League semi-final in Antwerp next month.

Sreejesh called for more training and exposure to ensure that Indian goal-keepers are the best in the world.

It was team India's second consecutive win against Japan, after beating them in a bronze medal match at the 17th Asian Games last year.

Van Ass said that the 24th Azlan Shah Cup was a platform to gather knowledge about the team and the past one week has been a great leaning curve for the boys.

The Indian defence once again failed to hold fort and let a goal in during the final minutes as they lost after drawing the first game against Korea in the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament.

New Zealand will face India in their next match on Monday, while Malaysia will play mighty Australia.

The hard-fought 2-2 draw against Korea in the Azlan Shah Cup was Paul van Ass' first international game as India's chief coach.

Nikkin Thimmaiah and VR Raghunath scored a goal each as India came back from behind to earn a point in their first match of the tournament.