Indian team benefits from Brasa’s visit

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Indian team was benefited from chief hockey coach Jose Brasa’s visit to the camp ahead of the junior World Cup to be held in Malaysia and Singapore from June 7 to 21.

“He gave us a game analysis software and we are using it for the tournament,” said coach Ajay Kumar Bansal on Tuesday before leaving for the junior World Cup. The coach is delighted that India’s bench strength is strong. “There is a problem of plenty. The competition within the squad is very strong and it is difficult to pick 15 players from 18,” Bansal said.

The other good news for the side is the improvement of Innocent Kullu as a penalty corner expert. His effective direct hits will provide variety and choice for the coach. “Many European teams have sorted out Diwakar Ram (drag-flick expert and captain). So, Kullu gives extra strength to penalty corner conversion,” Bansal said.

While the Indian coach is confident of the goal-scoring ability of his wards, he is equally aware of the team’s habit of getting relaxed and conceding soft goals. “Our short corner specialists and strikers are good enough to score goals. But we cannot afford to give away easy chances,” Bansal said.

Twenty countries will take part in the competition and India is placed in Pool ‘D’ along with the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland and Singapore.

India will play a couple of practice games against Germany and Chile on June 4 and 5 respectively before meeting Singapore in its opening match on June 8.