Indian hockey coach may quit after Games

India chief coach Jose Brasa has hinted that he may quit the job post the Commonwealth Games after being disappointed with his treatment over the past few months. Brasa, who has been at the helm of the men’s team for nearly two years, has been the centre of criticism over India’s poor outings recently.

The 2-5 defeat at the hands of Australia on Thursday just worsened the matter for him. The score line, a replica of India’s loss to the world champions in the World Cup, suggested the team has made very little progress since then.

His contract will expire after the Asian Games in Guangzhou next month and is not likely to be renewed as he has already lost the confidence of Hockey India. However, Brasa suggested he might not wait until the Asiad. “I don’t know (if I will continue). There are many issues that need to be addressed. I will talk about it later. As for my future, you never know what will happen,” he told DNA.

But what must be worrying Brasa now is the growing difference of opinion within the team over the policies adopted. While he has constantly demanded a sports psychologist ever since he took over as the coach, very little heed has been paid to his demand. But skipper Rajpal Singh said better tactics will win them matches and not a psychologist. “We do not need it. We need to improve on our play. That should happen first,” Rajpal said.

Brasa denied any rift within the side but his frustration is apparent. “I will not elaborate on the issues hampering the team right now. Today, our aim is to reach the CWG semifinals first. We have to focus on that,” he said.

To have any hopes of reaching the semis, India will have to beat Scotland by a huge margin on Saturday. A big win will help them in case they are tied with Pakistan on points after Australia is more or less secured of a place in the semis. However, to achieve that, the Indians first will have to pull up their socks and rectify the mistakes they have committed in the opening two matches.

Defence and penalty corner conversion is a concern for Brasa, who made it clear that if India does not improve in these areas, wins will be hard to come by.