The Hindu : Sport : Azlan Shah begins today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 26, 2005

Sport

Sport

Azlan Shah begins today

S. Thyagarajan

KUALA LUMPUR: Competitive hockey shifts gear and moves into a high voltage arena with the start of the Azlan Shah Trophy tournament on Thursday, which sets the clock ticking for many to the next World Championship.

Over the years the Azlan Shah Cup at the Malaysian capital has acquired a mystique on its own; acknowledged by observers as one that is as prestigious as the official Champions Trophy. Every country in the top bracket reckons it as an event to gain experience. As the first major event after Athens 2004, the tournament is quite significant to all the seven teams in the fray. Notwithstanding the 12-month suspension of the accomplished mid-fielder, Troy Elder, the Aussies, who are defending the title, are considered as unbeatable in their quest for the fourth title. So Barry Dancer, the chief coach, is striving to minimise the psychological impact on the rest of the squad. No less than 11 who figured in the gold medal winning side at Athens are in the squad with three debutants — David Guest, Eli Matheson and Luke Doerner. "I think we can win the tournament,'' observed Barry Dancer.

Inexperienced side

Minus the stalwart, Sohail Abbas, and striker Kashif Jawaad, Pakistan is fielding an inexperienced side. But coach Tahir Zaman is confident that the handful of seniors led by Mohammad Saqlain can make an impact. Rehan Butt is Pakistan's trump card.

There are clear signs of the ascendancy of the Kiwis in recent years. The sixth-place at Athens was as an adequate compensation for hard work. A combination of Simon Towns, Phil Burrows, Ryan Archbald with a set of highly motivated rookies makes the Kiwis a difficult opponent.

Bruce Jacobs leads the South Africans, who will benefit out of the experience of goalkeeper Chris Hibbert, and strikers Justin King and Criag Fulton.

After the disastrous pre-Olympics at Madrid last year, Malaysia, which missed the Olympics, has been adopting a systematic approach to thread a team good enough to get into the World Cup. The new coach, Wallace Tan, is ready to face to the stress that is about envelop him once the event begins with the encounter against Australia tomorrow. The team includes the seasoned Kuhen Shanmuganathan supported the seasoned Nor Azlan, Logan Raj, Chua Boon Huat to open a new vista. The win in the four-nation tourney at Poznan and a tough series against the Kiwis recently have enhanced the morale.

South Korea, winner here in 1996, missed the Champions Trophy berth against Argentina last month. The experiment with juniors have not paid off. The return of veterans like Song Seung Tae has helped the side regain the image to some extent.

India's task

And the task for India, which finished at the bottom last time, needs no exaggeration. Unlike 2004, the team under new coaches — Rajinder Singh (jr) and Narendrapal Singh — is mature enough to comprehend what is expected of it. True, the best could not be forged, on account of injuries to leading lights, apart from focussing on junior team's preparations for the World Cup next month.

Dilip Tirkey, however, has a strong line-up to face the challenges. The team must go all out to finish in the medal bracket. This is not beyond the realm of possibility provided the team remains focussed. It is needless to point out the inspiration that a good performance here would give for the millions of aficionados back home.

The IHF has nominated former Olympian and coach, V. Baskaran to help share his experience and knowledge with the team and coaches. His posting may well be taken as an expert consultant for the new coaches.

Thursday's matches: Pakistan vs. New Zealand (1.35 p.m. IST); India vs. South Africa (3.35 p.m.); Australia vs. Malaysia (5.35 p.m.)

TV Schedule: May 26: 1330 hrs: Pakistan vs. New Zealand; 1530: India vs. South Africa; 1730: Australia vs. Malaysia (all STAR Sports); May 27: 1330: India vs. New Zealand; 1530: Australia vs. South Korea; 1730: Malaysia vs. South Africa (STAR Sports); May 28: 1730: South Korea vs. Pakistan (ESPN); May 29: 1330: India vs. Malaysia; 1530: Pakistan vs. South Africa; 1730:Australia vs. New Zealand (ESPN); May 30: 1530: Malaysia vs. South Korea; 1730: New Zealand vs. South Africa (STAR Sports); May 31: 1530:Pakistan vs. Australia; 1730: India vs. South Korea (STAR Sports); June 1: 1330:Australia vs. South Africa; 1530: Malaysia vs. New Zealand; 1730: India vs. Pakistan (STAR Sports); June 2: 1400:South Korea vs. New Zealand (STAR Sports); June 3: 1330:South Africa vs. South Korea; 1530:Australia vs. India; 1730: Malaysia vs. Pakistan (STAR Sports); June 5: 1330: 5th & 6th place; 1530: 3rd & 4th place (STAR Sports); June 6: 1730: Final (STAR Sports).