India needs a comfortable start

S. THYAGARAJAN

Will India get a medal, if so, of what hue? This poser has certain relevance on the eve of the men’s hockey competition starting on Tuesday.

With no podium finish in the two previous appearances, and nothing to show in terms of achievements for more than a decade and more, a note of despair surfaces in venturing to debate the chances.

Confidence amounting to bravado is not in short supply. Coaches purvey inanities without a filament of realism.

If India were to capture a medal, its consistency level should go up three fold. We saw how this was lacking after the splendid start against Pakistan in the opening tie of the World Cup.

India is fielding a squad of seasoned players. How will they jell to produce results is a question mark. Individually, Sandeep Singh can turn a match around in seconds with a penalty corner. Equally, Shivendra, Rajpal or Tushar can hit the target with admirable fluency.

Mere expectations

But these often remain mere expectations. Tight defence supported by tactful finish will produce result. The efficiency of the mid-field, featuring Gurjbaj Singh and Prabodh Tirkey, means a lot for the squad as much as it does from the support system provided by Sardar and Mahadik deep in the defence. India needs is a comfortable start against Malaysia.

India has to confront the might of the Aussies, aiming for a fourth gold in a row. Ric Charlesworth and his squad, that often elevates the whole aspect of hockey to a different plane of delight, are in roaring form after the triumphs in the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.

A defeat for the Aussies is unthinkable. The line up that includes the versatile Jaime Dwyer, the lethal penalty corner striker Luke Doerner, the seasoned Liem de Young, sharp strikers Mark Knowels, Edward Ockenden and Glenn Tuner, is class written all over it. Drag flicker, Christopher Cirello is a man to watch.

Then there is the traditional rival, Pakistan. Under Zeeshan Ahmed, it is a rejuvenated force trained by the Dutch coach, van Heuvel. Old war horses, Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi, are brilliant ball players, dangerous for any set.

With Malaysia and Scotland in the Pool, predicting a semi-final spot for India involves a good deal of risk.

England should find it smooth in Pool ‘B’. Strengthened by the return of the Mantel brothers — Richard and Simon — England, which has only a bronze from 1998 for the record, will surprise none if it corners a gold.

The Kiwis, silver medallist in 2002, are expected to offer a modicum of challenge for Jason Lee’s English warriors.

The Pools: ‘A’: Australia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, and Scotland; ‘B’: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and Trinidad-Tobago.

Tuesday’s matches: Women: England v Wales (8-30 a.m.); Australia v Trinidad and Tobago (1-30 p.m.); New Zealand v Malaysia (3-30 p.m.); South Africa v Scotland (6-30 p.m.);

Men: New Zealand v Trinidad and Tobago (9-30 a.m.) (Pitch 2); Pakistan v Scotland (10-30 a.m.), Canada v South Africa (2-30 p.m.) (Pitch 2), India v Malaysia (8-30 p.m.).