Joint defending champions India finished a disappointing sixth at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, losing 2-1 to the other defending champions Korea, and coach Harendra Singh was visibly upset after the result.

“Looking back, when we started, we were targeting a top three finish. And, if you see the way we started the competition, it was not unrealistic. But we made the same mistakes again and again throughout the tournament and that hurt us,” Harendra said after the defeat.

Harendra also said that it was up to the individual players also to make sure the team stuck to its strategy.

“It is not only about the coach. If there are certain instructions from any one, whether the trainer, the physio, the other coaches or the senior players, anyone; everyone has to stick to the strategy. The game plan may change between the match, in fact it has to change depending upon the match situation. What has to be retained is the basic strategy and the objective of the match,” he said.

Harendra also said that on field decisions have to be taken in split seconds and that is something dependant on individual aptitude. “It is also about the mental aptitude of individual players. If certain things are not working on field then it is important to decide which is the best pass, what will be the best possible move. The game moves very fast and it is up to the individual players to take decisions despite all the instruction,” he said.

Harendra was also not happy with the team’s fitness levels in the competition. “We had a long lay-off and got back together for a short while. It can be said that there was a month-long camp but what is more important is that there was a 6-month break after Asian Games. In that, all the momentum built up in the last year was lost. But the other teams came here on the back of international exposure, having played test matches and all. So we need to work on the fitness and hopefully we will do it in the coming months,” he said.

On the absence of senior players, he said it was not an excuse. “Even Australia came with new players, New Zealand and Korea and England also. They were strong teams but everyone was missing certain seniors. That cannot be an excuse. These are the best opportunities for youngsters and one has to make full use of these chances,” he said.

He, however, did mention some areas where the team has improved in its performance. “I am specially satisfied with the transfer of ball from one flank to another and from the defence to the attack, and also with the rotation of ball between the players. These are two areas where I am happy with the team’s performance,” he said.