Following their back-to-back victories over Malaysia (3-2) and China (4-1), Pakistan are placed at the top of the points-table and a similar result against Japan will help the Greenshirts take a step closer to reaching the September 11 final.

In the past, a match against Japan who are generally counted among the minnows of international hockey, would have been a routine encounter for Pakistan. But in this tournament, a highly improved Japanese side has really made its presence so far which is why the national team management is taking the match really seriously.

Japan gave Asian giants Korea tough time before going down 2-3 in their opening match last week. On Sunday, Japan pulled off an impressive 1-1 draw against title contenders India to send a clear warning to the top teams.

“Japan have been superb in this tournament so far,” Khawaja Junaid, the Pakistan manager, told Arab News from Ordos on Monday.

“We are expecting that it is going to be a tough match which is why the boys have been told in clear words not to take anything for granted tomorrow,” stressed Junaid, a former Olympian.

Junaid said that the team officials are preparing a comprehensive game plan to tackle the super-fit Japanese players in Tuesday's match.

“The team officials and the players have been watching the videos of Japan’s matches against Korea and India. The management will then sit down to devise a strategy for the match against them.”

Junaid said that Pakistan have shown positive signs of improvement in spite of featuring in the event with a number of rookies.

“Wasting goal-scoring opportunities has been a perennial problem for us but in this tournament the missing ratio has gone down, which is a great sign for us. Our positioning inside the circle has also improved.

“In the past we used to get slower in the second half but that’s not the case any more. In the two matches we have played here the boys have been impressive in the second sessions,” he said.

While Pakistan have placed themselves within striking distance of reaching the final, old rivals India find themselves in a tough spot after wasting two points in a 1-1 draw against Japan on Sunday.

The Indians will take on favorites Korea on Tuesday and a loss against them will make it tough for them to make the cut for the title match.

Under new coach Michael Nobbs, India have been showing marked improvement and the Australian will be hoping that his charges do well against the Koreans, who have won both their matches against Japan (3-2) and Malaysia (4-3).