India plays its first match tomorrow against a relatively unknown quantity in Japan.

Indian hockey hasn't had the best of times in the recent past with disastrous performances on away tours. However, India will have the comfort of knowing that they have beaten every team in the tournament and are the Asian Games champions.

India's path to the semifinals looks relatively easy, they have drawn the easier of the two groups and the only serious opposition in the group should come from hosts Malaysia.

The second of the two groups has both Pakistan and Asian Games runners-up South Korea, so India will have beat either in the round of four to reach the finals.

The winner of the tournament qualifies for the 2002 World Cup and that should be the added incentive to performing well.

This will also be a major tournamentbefore India goes to Sydney 2000 and a good performance will do a lot of good to their confidence.

On paper, the Indians look a well knit outfit this time, the forward line will be the one to watch out. With the return of the talented but temperamental Dhanraj Pillay, the attack has got a shot in the arm. Youngsters Deepak Thakur and Gagan Ajit Singh along with skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon have to combine well with the Pune maestro for India to have an edge over teams like South Korea who run hard and are much fitter.

At 31, Pillay is not the picture of perfection and is likely to tire easily, coach Baskaran thus might use him in bursts to allow him to conserve energy.

The coach said: ``All the boys are in good shape and the camp has helped them with their fitness, we will play our best team and are looking to picked in the FIH XI.''

Feeding the forwards will be a mid-field without Mohammed Riaz. In his absence, Baljit Saini will marshal the troops which has the six foot, 70 kilo Bimal Lakra in itsranks. The genial Oriya has impressed coach Baskran and the seniors and is likely to start.