The good work must continue at the senior level

By Kamesh Srinivasan

NEW DELHI, OCT. 31. Close on the heels of the junior World Cup triumph, there is a strong belief in most quarters that the young lot would provide a new dawn for Indian hockey. However, the fact remains that the main players of the team that took the victory lap in Hobart, have been busy more at the senior level than in the junior circuit.

Jugraj Singh, the penalty corner specialist, can be the real gain to the senior ranks as he has played only seven matches for the Indian team so far. The 18-year-old sub-inspector of Punjab Police, who has been promised a promotion, has played 24 matches for the country at the junior level including the eight in the junior World Cup.

The top-scorer of the tournament in Australia, Deepak Thakur, who scored 10 goals, had played only 14 matches at the junior level before the World Cup, as compared to 57 at the senior level.

Similarly, the captain of the Indian team, the 20-year-old Gagan Ajit Singh had helped the juniors only in 10 matches before the World Cup, much in contrast to his rich experience of 91 international matches in the senior ranks.

The runner-up position in the last junior World Cup in Milton Keynes in 1997 had also been expected to rejuvenate the Indian team. The brilliant triumph in the Asian Games apart, the seniors do not have much to show.

As the glaring statistics reveals, India continues to excel at the junior level, as it won 34 of the 48 matches, for a 70.8 per cent success rate in the last four years after Milton Keynes. At the level, where it matters, India has managed to win 81 of the 178 matches in the same period, for a below par success percentage of 45.5.

The inability to win more matches is obviously linked to the inability to score more goals, most of the time by the same players who excel in the junior ranks. Is it because of lack of confidence at the senior level?

Gagan emphasises that the opposition at the junior level is equally tough, as most of the teams have experienced players. Actually, under-21 means a competition for men, rather than colts waiting to make a mark.

``Basically, we are missing more chances to score goals at the senior level. We are working very hard along with the coaches to improve our ability to score goals. In the junior World Cup, I missed chances against Australia, and we lost the match. Maybe, this trophy would help us play with conviction'', says Gagan, quite overwhelmed by the reception back home in Ferozepur, where it took him five hours to reach his house from the Railway station because of the celebrations, for a distance that he otherwise covers in five minutes!

``At the big tournaments, there is of course the psychological pressure on the team, and the desired level of concentration is not achieved. Confidence, with a high intensity of concentration is the key, and we are working hard towards that goal'', says Gagan, as he analyses the major problem plaguing Indian hockey.

Having been a member of the senior team that struggled to qualify for the World Cup recently, Gagan is able to appreciate the difference a lot better. He declares that the whole world is far too keen, not to lose to India, which invariably becomes defensive most of the time.

The Indian team has been unlucky in recent times. The fact that the Olympic semifinals eluded the grasp in the last minute of the match against Poland still haunts the team.

``In Hobart also we could have been out after the second phase, despite beating Holland. Argentina defeated Australia with a goal in the last 27 seconds, and that result gave us a place in the semifinals. So, you need that slice of luck. Otherwise, even the Indian team in Sydney for the Olympics could have done something memorable'', says Gagan.

Attack should be our forte

Gagan says that there should be more emphasis on attack, to build pressure on the opponents. ``Agreed that there is more `pressure marking' at the senior level, but if we play with confidence, there is no reason why we can't win more matches. There should not be much gap between the forwards and the midfield. We should try to put others under pressure'', he says.

Different coaches have different ideas, but the focus has been on better communication, both at the junior and senior levels, making the players interact and understand the methods for better execution. ``They are all good coaches, working for the benefit of the team. Most of the points and pattern remain the same with all of them, but each has his strong points'', says Gagan.

The Champions Challenge will be the immediate testing ground to see how well Indian hockey has gained from the junior World Cup triumph.

``The World Cup early next year will be the biggest challenge, and my aim would be to make that team and give my best. I am sure, by the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the effect of this victory would have reflected on Indian hockey. Now we know what we will get if we win a big tournament. The motivation level is very high, we are all training hard to take the next big step'', says Gagan.

There is no dearth of talent, skill, efforts or support in Indian hockey. The enhanced self-belief of the players, who are bubbling with confidence to retain their elevated status, even as they enjoy being feted almost every day, is sure to lift the standard, where it matters - in striking goals.

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