India face Poland in last league clash
Biswajyoti Brahma, TNN
NEW DELHI: They will never admit it, but the Indian men’s hockey team at the moment must be tempted to play out a draw with Poland in their last league encounter on Friday to eliminate their biggest threat, Canada, from the Olympic qualifiers.
Of course, playing for a draw would depend on the outcome of the earlier match between Canada and France, the other potential finalists. A win would take Ken Pareira-led Canada to nine points and Poland’s loss would take them to the final on the basis of goal difference.
On the eve of the match, it was evident from the body language of coach Michael Nobbs and the players that they are not too keen on playing Canada in the final after the tough time they had during the close 3-2 win on Wednesday against Pareira’s men.
Why would India risk losing their Olympic berth by playing the second highest-ranked team in the event when they have the luxury of picking the side they play in the final?
Coach Michael Nobbs, however, dismissed such suggestions and said his side was ready to face any team. “We will go for a win tomorrow. At this level, you should be ready to play any team in the final,” he said.
Canada would be intrigued to find themselves in a situation similar to what they faced 17 years ago when they missed a berth to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics following India’s 0-0 draw against Malaysia In the qualifiers in 1995.
Though India had already qualified for the Olympics before the match, the draw ensured Malaysia’s progress at Canada’s expense. Canada had then dragged the Indian federation to the Court of Arbitration, Sports but India got a clean chit.
The only difference in the plot now is that India are still chasing the Olympics berth.
Nobbs said on Thursday that he would make some experiments in the match against Poland in their preparation for the final. During an hour-long practice session on Thursday, the goalkeepers – Bharat Chetri and PR Sreejesh – trained hard with a dozen-odd players testing them under the bar.
“We have not really been tested in the tournament so far. We decided to train today and get some valuable practice for the coming matches,” Chetri said.
Injured Walmiki out: Nobbs said that striker Yuvraj Walmiki would be sidelined for about 10 days due to a grade 2 tear in the hamstring. This means the player from Mumbai will not take further part in the tournament.
“But we won’t ask for a replacement. (Defender) Rupinder Pal Singh, who did well when he played up front in Australia, could be used in Walmiki’s position,” Nobbs said.