European tour: a worthy exercise

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: Even as the confusion in hockey administration is getting complex, complicated and confounding for an enthusiast, India enters the action mode early next month.

As part of the preparations for the Commonwealth Games, and more importantly, the Asian Games in China, the team embarks on a three week tour of Europe opening with the four-nation tournament at Hamburg from July 2 to 4.

Taken in any perspective, it is a well thought out exercise. Competition in Europe definitely enhances the team’s profile. It adds to professional approach and a pronounced polish in proficiency.

Apart from playing Germany and the Netherlands in the BDO Masters at Hamburg, the squad plays against Belgium, France and Holland.

The 22-member team is a good mix of young blending with seasoned stars.

While the omission of the most valued mid-fielder Arjun Halappa, has triggered a debate over the reasoning of the selectors for ‘resting’ a player of his eminence for a European sojourn, the recall of Sandeep Singh is the right move.

Perhaps, the selectors have realised the folly of going into the last Azlan Shah tournament without a flicker. Mahadik was forced to revert to flicks after the experiment of indirect essays flopped miserably.

Retaining goalkeepers, Sreejesh and Chetri, confirms the selectors’ lack of confidence in Adrian after the World Cup. Neither of them was exemplary at Ipoh. But they need more exposure especially, against European outfits.

Added value

Sandeep adds value to the defence purely on account of his competence in penalty corners. However, he has a few known frailties in one-to-one interceptions. Mahadik is an established defender along with Sardar Singh. Rupinder has a long march ahead to earn a permanent place. So is Amit Prabhakar.

In Halappa’s absence the stress in mid-field work on, Gurbaj Singh and Prabhodh Tirkey, will increase manifold. Both have enough experience to guide. Ravi Pal, Ajitesh Roy and Danish Mujtaba should play a very demanding role to help Gurbaj and Tirkey maintain an element of vibrancy to connect with the frontline.

Shivendra Singh, who is nursing an injury, will be missed in the attacking line, notably in seizing rebounds. Skipper Rajpal Singh and Tushar Khandekar, should elevate their level of play to cover up for Shivendra Singh. The gangling Mandip Antil gets a good chance to prove his calibre as does Hari Prasad. This is a golden opportunity for Hari Prasad.

It is unclear how much say the chief coach, Jose Brasa, has in selection matters; very little, obviously. Given the ridiculous gag order not to interact with the media, it is not easy to get an assessment from the genial Spaniard, whose pragmatism irks a few.

It is unfortunate that a country which boasts of honouring the virtues of freedom of expression prohibits its chief coach from attending even post-match riefings. Jose Brasa must be allowed to rub shoulders confidently with his counterparts in Europe during the tour.