Weak defence is India’s bane, says Balbir Singh

M.S. Unnikrishnan

The Indian men are just one step away from Olympic qualification, but they have a long way to go to play as equals in elite company, as there are many grey areas that need correction, the most notable being a weak defence. Conceding the fact that chief coach Michael Nobbs of Australia has brought about dramatic changes in the team in the past seven months, veteran Olympian and chief selector Col. Balbir Singh (Jr) felt that the team needed to improve in many areas if they are to make a mark in the London Olympics 2012 (assuming, of course, that India make the Olympic cut).

“I am very optimistic that the boys would qualify for the Olympics, which would do a world of good for Indian hockey”, Col Balbir Singh told The Tribune in an exclusive chat.

Looking at the positives, Col. Balbir Singh said it was an encouraging sign that the present men’s team have the urge to score more goals, though they also have the tendency to concede “soft” goals, which shows serious chinks in the deep defence.

Col. Balbir Singh, who has been associated with the Indian hockey teams (both men and women) as a coach, Government observer, selector and chief selector for the past many years, after his playing career was cut short in 1972 due to a ligament injury, observed that the defence was very weak because of which India have conceded six goals in four matches.

“We have conceded soft goals, which could have been averted as the goals came due to defensive lapses. The two quick goals by Canada should have been prevented. It’s very important how you effectively manage your defence as you need quick reflexes to stop fast-moving rival forwards”, Balbir Singh noted.

Giving credit to “world class” players like Sandeep Singh, S.V.Sunil and Sardar Singh for India’s improved display, Balbir Singh expressed concern at the porous defence, where V.R.Raghunath, ageing Tirkey and even Sandeep Singh have been found wanting.

“Sandeep, no doubt, is a world class drag flicker, but in the defence, he needs to display quick reflexes as presently he’s slow in tackling”, Balbir Singh added.

The veteran Olympian, who had played in various positions such as right half, left half and centre half, was happy to report that S.V.Sunil had improved by leaps and bounds as a forward, and he was especially happy that Sunil belonged to ASC, like him.

“Sunil has all the attributes like the quick starts of Harbinder Singh, explosive speed and ball control of Balbir Singh (of Railways) and Mukesh Kumar, to perfectly fit into the coach’s scheme of things in the forward line. After a long time, we have a really good speedy and searing forward, and along with Sardar Singh and Sandeep, we have some truly world class players”, exulted the soldier, who still prefers to stay in army accommodation, than availing of the five-star hospitality of Hockey India.

“We have to have players like them in the defence too, as our deep defence is very, very weak and the goalkeepers have not covered up the way they should have”.

Balbir Singh said the real test for Nobbs would come when India meet elite teams like Australia, Germany, Spain etc. in the Olympics. “In the last seven months, we have played against only two good teams—once against Belgium and twice against Pakistan (in the Champions’ Challenge Trophy in South Africa, and in the Nine-a-Side Tournament in Australia). He said on astro turf, the position of the goalkeeper is vital “as 80 per cent of victory/defeat depends on the custodian; once beaten, it’s difficult to recover on astro-turf”.