“Your team is impressive”

Having watched the Indian team performing at the London Olympic venue recently, Korean coach Shin Kyo Seok feels the present outfit is playing a style that is very impressive.

Shin, former Korean hero of many a battle,says; “I saw your team in the last Azlan Shah Cup and then one or two tournaments. We got the videos of recent London Olympics for showing to our team. I found noticeable difference between the previous teams and the present one. This one is very impressive”.

On asked what made him feel so, he said that players are shaping up well as all rounders, a clear pattern is evident which gives importance to attacking”.

“Previously, each player will pass to another player and wait, almost standing idle. Now, there is urgency with each player, everyone moves up, at least 5, 6 people are on attack on slightest of chance, man to man marking has almost been replaced with zonal one, and it is here the team looks dangerous to other teams”, he said.

“Also, some individuals are really good. No.8 (Sardar Singh) and right winger (SV Sunil) and a few others are really good, will present problem for us, they are simply good”, the former defender elaborated.

He is very much impressive of India-Germany match recently in London, and felt India had almost caught with the Germans.

“India played really well that day. There was no difference between two teams, notwithstanding the result. India could manage to display aggressive style, and it paid off”, he analysed.

Highlighting the fact that the team is not only balanced but also sharp in every aspect of the game,he gives due importance to penalty corner.

“Your Sandeep Singh is very good in penalty corners”.

Incidentally, Sandeep is the only player the noted coach could instantly name. For all others, he can only take the jersey Nos.

As the praise coming from an established penalty corner expert like Shin Kyo Seo, Sandeep can take pride in his emerging image.

When asked about Korean prospects in the team, he was outright in his reply: “Final is the target for every coach”.

It looks the Koreans are keenly following India. They have got done video sessions of London matches too.

We only hope India matches them accordingly, lest the Koreans tails will be up.