After talk of revolt in the ranks, the Indian hockey team showed a united front before their departure for Madrid on Sunday night. The team will have a week-long camp ahead of the Champions Challenge-I tournament in Salta, Argentina, beginning on December 6.
Chief coach Jose Brasa said the team were eager to put up a good show. “Every day we are trying out something new in the camp. We’ll continue with the fast-paced Indian style of attack but I am trying to bring together an amalgamation of European and Indian styles in my training methods.
“The defence still remains a concern for us. We’ll aim to win every match in the tournament,” Brasa told the media at the launch of the FIH World Cup logo here on Sunday.
“We have a talented bunch and each and every player is fighting for his position,” the coach added.
With drag-flicker Sandeep Singh missing out with a back injury, Rajpal Singh will lead the side in Salta.
“The boys are confident heading into a major tournament after a long time. I consider it an honour to lead the team,” Rajpal said.
On the injured Sandeep, Rajpal said, “Sandeep is crucial to the team. We’ll obviously miss the services of a very good player.”
Rajpal believes the tournament is important in the lead up to the World Cup in February-March next year.
“We’ll be trying out different strategies in the tournament. There are a few teams in the event whom we haven’t played in the recent past and they will be surprised by our game.
“At the camp in Pune, we concentrated on improving our build-up and counterattacks and results will be evident at the Champions Challenge,” the Indian skipper said. Apart from India, the Champions Challenge will feature hosts Argentina, Pakistan, Belgium, China, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
Both the captain and coach however, dismissed talk of a rift in the team.