Australia test awaits India in men’s hockey

NEW DELHI: With little room for mistakes, India will have to play out of their skin and forget the demons of the World Cup when they face world champions Australia in their next men’s Pool A match on Thursday.

Notwithstanding a 3-2 win in their tournament opener against a spirited but lowly Malaysia, the Indians were far from impressive as they had to come from behind twice in the match to register the hard-earned victory.

But against Australia the Rajpal Singh-led side cannot afford to breath easy, as under hockey legend and former captain Ric Charlesworth’s guidance the Kookaburras have been invincible.

The Aussies having won every major international tournament since January 2009, including the World Cup in Delhi earlier this year and subsequently the Champions Trophy in Germany.

Australia are, expectedly, the firm favourites to defend their crown in the Delhi Games, having claimed the gold medal in every edition of the quadrennial event since hockey’s introduction in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.

The major concern which remains before India’s chief coach Jose Brasa is the backline as it looked scaratchy against the Malaysians.

The nimble-footed Malaysians caught the Indian defence napping on plenty of occasions yesterday out of which two efforts resulted in goals.

But against mighty Australia, the Indian defenders will have to dish out their best hockey as even a small mistake can cost them dearly.

Brasa too conceded that defence continued to remain a problem for his side and against Australia the Dhananjay Mahadik-led backline will have to be on their toes.

“It was a difficult match against Malaysia, but I am happy that we pocketed full three points.

“But against Australia it will be more difficult. They are the top team in the world and we will have to defend well. We will have to change a few things. We have to plug those holes in defence,” Brasa said.

India captain Rajpal Singh also agreed with his coach and said his team will try to commit fewer mistakes against their formidable rivals.

“We will try not to repeat the mistakes we committed against Australia in the World Cup,” he said.

What is heartening for India is the form of star drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, who presently boasts of a 90 per cent penalty corner conversion rate in international tournaments.