Overall performance satisfying’

NEW DELHI: The Indian hockey team returned home on Monday after finishing a disappointing ninth in the junior World Cup hockey tournament held at Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Germany won the title with the Netherlands and Australia finishing second and third.

For team coach A.K. Bansal, the trip was “not as bad” as is being portrayed. “I can understand critics would question how we could be satisfied with a ninth place result. It was a result that was lower than our expectations but I must say that the overall performance of the players was satisfying.”
No excuses

Elaborating, Mr. Bansal said, “we are not trying to make any excuses please. I accept all the blame and all the criticism but I will back my boys for trying their best.

“We suffered because of one bad result (the 2-2 draw against New Zealand). And then we lost to the Netherlands (2-3) in the pool match. To tell you the truth, we controlled the match very well and ought to have won.”

Pointing out the marked improvement in the scoring prowess, Mr. Bansal noted, “we scored 42 goals and conceded only nine.

“It was all a part of learning process. I have no complaints against any player. They fought well and displayed superior fitness right through the tournament.” — Special Correspondent