Sport
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Hockey
Cedric confident
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, FEB. 8. ``It is time to cover up the weaknesses as well as we can and play on our abundant skills,'' were the words of Chief coach Cedric D'Souza as the Indian hockey team got ready to leave for the Ipoh in preparation for the World Cup beginning in Kuala Lumpur from February 24.
Sounding confident as usual, Cedric looked ahead to the camp in Ipoh where the 22-member Indian team expects to give its preparations the finishing touches on the System-90 turf, a surface not available here.
Speaking to the mediapersons at the National Stadium here on Friday, Cedric said the idea behind sending Assistant coach C.R. Kumar to Ipoh was to have a first hand information on the practice facilities there, to get video recordings on other teams and to arrange practice matches.
``Since we have 22 members, we can play matches among ourselves without waiting for another team. Our preparations, in Chennai, were skill-specific. Considering that we have to play nine matches in 13 days, we have to conserve our energies,'' he said while categorically dismissing the idea that the team needed more practice games before the actual competition.
On choosing the final 18, Cedric hinted that he was going to have a tough time as every member was playing very well.
Skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon said that the senior players have a role to play in the success of the team. ``As a captain, I am not under any added pressure but feel more responsible. For the past year, our team has worked very hard and now the time has come to test the preparations. We have the right mix of youth and experience.''
On the prospects of the team, Dhillon said that all teams would be well prepared. ``We can't take any team lightly.''
Unlike Cedric and Dhillon, Dhanraj Pillay stuck his neck out to say that India was capable of reaching the semifinals. ``There are several youngsters who were part of the junior World Cup winning team. They are motivated to bring home this World Cup, too. Their positive attitude is a source of inspiration for the seniors, too.''
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