Koreans will test team with focus on Beijing Olympics: capt

Chennai, Aug 29 (UNI) Captain of Korean hockey team today said the Asia Cup hockey tournament to be held here from August 31 to September 9 would be utilised for experimenting with the side.

The Korean team which arrived here, is a mix of juniors and seniors, manager Cho Sung Jun, told the media, at the astro turf stadium today.

A few changes were made in the team which played at the Asian Games. We want to experiment with this side as our focus is on the 2008 Beijing Olympics,'' he said.

Korea and China, who are in the same pool with India for the Asia Cup, have already qualified for the Beijing Games, it may be recalled.

Captain Seo Hong Jo a center forward, also said that the Asia Cup would be a testing ground for the team. Ho, a center forward, was a member of the Sydney Olympics team, which won the silver medal.

Meanwhile captain of the Japanese team Takahiko Yamahori said the side's priority would be to qualify for the Beijing Games.

''We will be trying hard for the best possible result,'' he said, adding ''the very first match against Pakistan will be crucial. '' Japan is one to the three venues of the Olympic qualifiers for the Games.

UNI