Gold Coast, April 1 (NsNewsWire) — The clash between India and Pakistan will be one of the most anticipated contests of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games men’s hockey event.

Both countries have a long and proud hockey history, with this emotionally charged clash never failing to entertain.

Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne learned early in his tenure this was not just ‘any other game’.

“I addressed the team before my first match against Pakistan and they said it was ‘business as usual’,” Marijne said.

“I watched the first half and quickly realised they lied to me. They played totally different to normal.”

Pakistan midfielder Muhammad Arshad, more commonly known as Muhammad Tousiq, spoke about the emotion involved in the game.

“It means more to the millions of fans that watch this game,” Tousiq said.

“Both sets of supporters desperately want to win. As players we should relax on the pitch, but sometimes we get carried away.”

Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans has coached both countries and believes each side ‘only thinks about the outcome and totally forgets the process’.

“Emotion overrides structures and strategies,” Oltmans said.

India plays Pakistan on Saturday 7 April at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre at Labrador.

Tickets to watch great hockey action are still available.

This article was produced by Games News Service.