KUALA LUMPUR: Dutchman Roelant Oltmans, who used to coach Malaysia, was sacked by Pakistan Hockey Federation last month after they finished eighth among 16 teams at the Junior World Cup (JWC) in Bukit Jalil last month.
But the Green Shirts will still pose a threat to others in the Olympic Qualifier in Oman from Jan 15-21, and they have retained nine players who played in the JWC.
World No. 16 Pakistan will meet 15-ranked Malaysia on Jan 18 in Muscat. Their other Group A matches are against world No. 4 Great Britain (Jan. 15) and world No. 23 China (Jan 16).
World champions Germany, Canada, Chile and New Zealand are in Group B.
The top three teams will earn a ticket to the Paris Olympics.
Former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh has replaced Oltmans as Pakistan's head coach.
He is assisted by Shakil Abbasi and Dilawar Hussain.
The Pakistan team will be led by seasoned campaigner Ammad Butt and Abu Bakar Mahmood.
Shahnaz said Pakistan, joined by six players from leagues overseas, have succeeded in raising a competitive side for the Olympic Qualifier.
"Some experience has got back into the side which indeed is a welcoming sign," Shahnaz told The News last week.
Former national player Jiwa Mohan said Malaysia's main challenge in their group is Pakistan.
"We must redeem our pride after losing 5-2 to Pakistan in the fifth placing match at the Hangzhou Asian Games (last October).
"This is a crucial match, do or die for both teams. Pakistan have a bunch of talented players and the match can go either way.
"We must execute our strategy and plan well against them to finish top two to qualify for the semi-finals.
"This is also our last chance to win a ticket to the Paris Olympics. Our players must rise to the occasion," said Jiwa, who featured in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
The Pakistan team: Abdullah Ishtiaq, Waqar, Arbaz Ahmed, Muhammad Abdullah, Sufiyan Khan, Ammad Shakeel Butt (captain), Abu Bakar Mahmood (vice-captain), Murtaza Yaqoob, Abdul Mannan, Aqeel Ahmed, Moeen Shakil, Salman Razaq, Abdul Hannan Shahid, Ghazanfar Ali, Abdul Rahman Jr., Zikriya Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf, Arshad Liaquat.