Sport - Hockey

Indian colts return after an impressive show

NEW DELHI: Fast turf, speedy game, exciting hockey and an impressive show in Argentina brought some cheer to the Indian team, which returned home on Wednesday with the juniors holding their head high.

“I am happy for the boys because they played sensible hockey. We learnt a few things that should make us a better team in the future. I won’t say it was a perfect tour but then there was little to complaint either,” said a composed A.K. Bansal, the chief coach of the team.

The Indian junior team played four Tests against Argentina and lost none. India began with a 3-2 win in the first Test and drew the next three — 1-1, 2-2 and 4-4. It beat the Netherlands in a ‘one-off’ Test to mark a positive start to its World Cup campaign. The World Cup is to be held in June next year.

“Playing the last three matches (including the one against the Netherlands) was not easy.

What I liked most was the fact that the boys adapted to the pace of the turf so quickly and so effectively that the opposition was left admiring,” said Bansal.

The chief coach was impressed with the fitness level of the players.

“The fitness of the players was exceptionally brilliant. In the last match (a 4-4 draw) the teams went flat out and played some rousing hockey but my boys were amazingly untiring. Their fitness level was beyond my expectations,” Bansal said.

“I would say it was a wonderful experience. The only concern I had was our tendency to concede too many penalty corners. We need to work on this aspect,” Bansal said.

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