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Hockey
The bottom line is `to pick the best'
By S. Thyagarajan
CHENNAI, FEB. 4. That the Indian Hockey Federation has deferred the decision to determine the 18 that will figure in the World Cup only after the next camp at Ipoh, presumably a week before the event, induces certain misgivings about arriving at a consensus after the more- than-a-month-long camp here. The problem appears to be one related to fitness of a few, and the difficulty in zeroing on the right players in the mid-field. Maybe, even differing perceptions persist.
What needs to be stressed however is the underlying concern towards picking the best that satisfies the requirements of the chief coach, Cedric D'Souza, who is to marshal the forces on the field against great expectations all round. With the FIH permitting 18 players against the normal 16 in view of the new format involving 16 teams for the first time, aside from the weather in Malaysia, there is scope for flexibility, or even the luxury of naming as many as six mid-fielders and seven frontliners, if need be, four deep defenders.
After the success in the Champions Challenge Cup at Kuala Lumpur in December, there can be no difficulty in focussing on the nucleus. Those in the injured list and missed the Champions Challenge have been given enough time to recover and fight for a place. Sabu Varkey and Ignace Tirkey, who were indisposed almost throughout the Challenge Cup in Kuala Lumpur are back in the reckoning after successfully attending the camp here. But there is a question mark on the seasoned Baljit Singh Saini, who left the camp within a few days following an attack of chicken pox. His recall into the 22 now raises the question about his fitness, which the IHF has asked him to prove to the satisfaction of all.
Having taken a strong stand against the absence of Dhanraj Pillay from the camp prior to the World Cup qualifier at Edinburgh, coach Cedric D'Souza, now cannot compromise unless Saini proves fit. There appears to be some reluctance to confirm the place for Bimal Lakra, considered as the most talented mid- fielders in his age group. Lakra missed the Champions Challenge on account of injury as did full back Dilip Tirkey.
The return of Dilip Tirkey definitely strengthens the deep defence and the expertise in penalty corner sequences. There cannot be any debate about the goal-keepers, Jude Menezes and Devesh Chauhan. Both have been consistently good, and it goes without saying that a great deal depends on the former when India is slated to play six matches to get a place in the semifinals.
Tirkey will get adequate support from Lazarus Barla and Jugraj Singh whose presence in the squad is purely for his ability to produce those stunners in the penalty corners. Kanwalpreet Singh is another shaping extremely well.
Focus on tight mid-field
As a strong votary for a tight mid-field, Cedric will doubtless be concentrating on experience, expertise and efficiency in this layer. Sukbir Singh Gill and Thirumalvalvan pick themselves on their excellent work in the last tournament. While Bimal Lakra is a tested material in the Junior World Cup, Ignace Tirkey was forced to be out at Kuala Lumpur owing to an attack of malaria. How fit is he today remains to be seen. Vikram Pillay's inconsistency owing to inexperience should be taken into account when formulating the final set of mid-fielders. Where will the coach fit in a player like Len Aiyappa, especially when Jugraj fills the role of a drag flicker has to be discussed in depth. Bipin Fernandez also cannot be disturbed from the half-line, if his utility is anything to go by.
The frontline constitutes the best of available skills in the country, headed by the veteran Dhanraj Pillay. In fact, there is none else today to create a scare in the opposition defence as Dhanraj does with his stick work. His presence in the rival area psychologically disturbs the defence, and usually throws it into disarray.
Skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon is now restricted to playing mostly from the mid-field, as a creator than a destroyer. Of course, his movements signal danger to the rival defence. A combination of Deepak Thakur, Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Sabu Varkey and Prabhjot Singh can work wonders if everyone improves the rate of accuracy at the finish even marginally. It is always on the difference between the chances created and wasted that the story of India's campaign is written. The narrower the gap, the easier for the team to coast to victory.
It is not going to be easy for the management to accommodate Len Aiyappa, Ignace Tirkey, Vikram Pillay, Baljit Singh Saini and Daljit Singh Dhillon. Only one among the five has a place in the 18; and, strangely enough, it is unlikely to be determined till a week before the ball rolls in the World Cup.
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