Despite India losing out to New Zealand today, Indian coach Michael Nobbs was happy with the performance of the
Indian players, even as he regretted the team does not have players who can win crucial matches.

“We have good players but we don’t have players to
win crucial matches such as today.

Nobbs however hasten to add his eyes are set on future

“As I said before, you have to remember that
10 of our players are below 21 years. Any other country with 10 of
their junior players, would have conceded many more goals,” he felt.

“Our purpose of coming here is to use Azlan Shah tournament as a
platform to get experience and develop players in tough match
situations. And to that extent, I am very happy that the players are
learning and they are learning fast,” he said.

“These are all young
and they now understand that they have to work hard despite the
talent. If they have to take the places of established players like
Sardar Singh, Birendra Lakra or Raghunath, they have to work hard, improve and show
consistency. Towards that end this tournament is of great help,” he
said.

“This team can do much better and I am sure in six months time they
will be more mature and developed players.

Now our goal is the World
Cup qualifiers (HWL Semifinals) and then the Junior World Cup. Definitely after that, a
few of these boys will graduate to the senior team for the senior
World Cup,” he quipped.