Lack of continuity among players behind India’s failure: Coach

22 May 2009, 2135 hrs IST, PTI:

BHOPAL: Newly-appointed Indian Hockey Chief Coach, Jose Brasa has said that lack of continuity among players during crucial minutes had dashed the ho
pes of the national team several times.

“Lack of endurance among players during crucial minutes has put paid to the hopes of Indian Men’s Hockey team on several occasion,” Brasa, who was here for the first time after his appointment to the post, told reporters on Thursday.

Spanish coach Brasa’s statement came in reference to dismal performance of the Indian men’s hockey teams in the just concluded Asia Cup in Malaysia in which India stood 5th in the eight-nation tournament.

Stating that Indian hockey team has all the talent required to compete at the international level, he said that there is a need to use it properly.

Brasa said the Indian hockey team was a balanced one. “The team has the ability to put any competitor in trouble as it has players like Dilip Tirkey,” Brasa said.

“However, there is no magic stick in my possession through which I can change their performance overnight. It will take some time,” he said.

Brasa who sought sophisticated gadgets for players said that his priority would be to provide all updated information such as details of the newly adopted rules at the international level to the team as they help greatly in tournaments.