Sport - Hockey   

India coach hoping for a change in fortune

By S. Thyagarajan

Sydney June 3. As the second segment of the twin men's hockey challenge comes into focus on Wednesday at two venues, it is not easy to wriggle out from the mood of depression arising out of the reverse suffered against the Aussies in the final game at Perth.

But India coach Rajinder Singh has taken the outcome with a philosophical touch, hoping that the distressing sequence of last minute defeatism, haunting the team from Cologne last year, will turn for the better, sometime, somewhere. Ever an optimist, he visualises a vibrant vista not only in the next four days but also till the Athens Olympics.

After a strenuous workout at Homebush, the venue of the Olympic hockey competition in 2000, Rajinder reiterated that he viewed the whole exercise as preparatory for the important events ahead. True, he shared the disappointment of not touching the finish line first at Perth but reconciled to the fact that the team played top class hockey.

What worries him is the inconsistency of the two stars — Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh — on whom he places a lot of faith. He admitted that veterans Dhillon and Dhanraj produced performances better than the youngsters.

India had not finalised the 18 on the eve of the competition but Rajinder assured that the youngsters would get a look in sometime in the event. Tushar Khandekar, Prabhodh Tirkey and Sandeep Micheal, are enthusiastically awaiting their call.

The chief concern for the coach is the opening match against Australia at the industrial town of Wollongong, an hour's drive from south of Sydney. The Aussies are definitely regrouping after the none-too-convincing show at Perth.

Everything points out to a keen tussle what with the Indian defence working exceedingly well. The mid-fielders have exuded appreciable measure of assurance and adeptness in their work. Bimal Lakra and Viren Resquinha have emerged the pillars in the area, with Ignacious Tirkey chipping in effectively.

Jugraj had an outstanding match in the final where he was seen in full bloom. If he succeeds in ramming in the penalty corners, then he may turn out to be chief asset in the defence. For calm elegance, Dilip Tirkey is the best example, and Kanwalpreet Singh is quietly on the improvement mode.

An aspect that needs to be stressed is the fitness level of the players. A good measure of credit in shaping up a squad to such standards of physical efficiency should go to the trainer, the unassuming Sampath Kumar. He was also with the Indian junior team that won the World Cup at Hobart.

There is a lot more at stake for Australia in the second leg. Though they emerged the winner, the Aussies must be the first to acknowledge that they were truly lucky last Sunday. Coach Barry Dancer agreed that the team had not palpably improved in many areas after the near disastrous Champions Trophy at Cologne.

The team is shuffled for the second edition with Brent Livermore taking over the mantle of captaincy. Aaron Hopkins will replace defender Mathew Wells, who was injured at Perth.

The combination looks a bit stronger with the induction of Andrew Smith, Ben Taylor, Adam Commens and goal-keeper, Stephen Lambert. The Australians see this as the final test before picking up the squad for the Olympic qualifier series against New Zealand and also for the next Champions Trophy at Amstelveen.

Distressed totally by the turn of events, after the splendid victory over Germany in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, the Pakistanis present a picture of despair. Full back Ali Raza is yet recover from the injury he sustained on arrival at Perth, and the team management is wrestling with an inexperienced bunch.

Coach Tahir Zaman was pragmatic in his comment that in the absence of the proven set of players it is impossible to weld a title-winning side. He is confident that the return of Sohail Abbas, Mohammad Nadeem and Wassem Ahmed will boost the strength and image of Pakistan's hockey before the Champions Trophy. He hinted possibility of Mohammad Sarwar coming back to the squad.

Tahir also wondered that some youngsters who have figured in a handful of internationals failed to show that level of improvement. He particularly named Rehan Bhat who came on the scene during the Commonwealth Games at Manchester last year and popped up as the hero of the bronze medal match against India at Cologne.

The immediate task for Pakistan here is to record at least a couple of victories, if not the title, as to obliterate the humiliation suffered in the first leg at Perth.

With the weather being warm and sunny, the second leg of the men's challenge promises to be more exciting and exacting as the first.

Wednesday's matches (at Wollongong): India v Australia (1-30 p.m. IST); Australia `A' v Pakistan (3-30 p.m.).

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport

News: | Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

Cricket

• Umpires in India need a better deal
• PCB plans to give Akram grand farewell
• Caribbean officials regret stolen Australian gear
• A welcome sign
  
  Tennis
  
• Serena surges ahead
  
  Hockey
  
• India coach hoping for a change in fortune
  
  Athletics
  
• Pune to host Asian Cross Country
  
  Chess
  
• Sangeetha storms into lead
  
  Golf
  
• Aditya Singh takes lead
  
  Racing : Motor
  
• Naren Kumar to lead Team MRF's challenge
  
  Squash
  
• Vaidehi Reddy decides to return for World Championship
  
  

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu