Real work starts now
Special Correspondent

M.M. Somaya, men’s team Technical Director at 2008 Olympic qualifier in Santiago (Chile), feels that India under Michael Nobbs is learning to counter-attack. “The transition from defence to attack is happening swiftly and without mispasses. Nobbs had mentioned after taking over that this aspect will get his attention. It is happening.”

Ignace Tirkey’s switch from a midfield role into the defence also earns praise from the 1988 Seoul Olympics men’s captain. “Nobbs made a smart move in convincing Tirkey to move into the defence. He and Sardar Singh are good on the ball, so create a marking problem for the rivals each time they go on the attack.”

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh made a huge contribution in India’s qualification, with five penalty corner conversions in the final against France. Somaya as TD and Joaquim Carvalho as chief coach were in charge when India had missed Olympic qualification four years ago at Santiago, beaten by Great Britain in the decider. Asked about the difference between Chile and New Delhi, the latter said: “In Santiago we played away and now enjoyed familiar conditions and was backed by home fans.”

The Olympian and former head coach is of the view that the real work for the Indian men’s hockey team starts now. “I’m taking nothing away from the efforts of our players, but performing against Holland, Germany, Spain, Australia is different from the opposition we faced in the qualifiers. Our team needs to move up to the next level, it is for Nobbs to decide how he is going to do it.”

Special Correspondent from Chennai reports:

Legends, Ric Charlesworth of Australia and the Ties Kruzie of the Netherlands, have hailed India’s victory in the Olympic qualifier in New Delhi on Sunday.

In an e-mail response to The Hindu, Ric Charlesworth, whose admiration and love for Indian hockey is well known, said “ I am delighted for the Indian players, many of whom I know well. It is deserved and timely and good for the game to have them in London. I am not surprised, as before the competition I said I expected to prevail against those teams.”

Ties Kruize noted, “In my eyes, India is a fantastic country, one of the best I have ever been to and traditionally also one of the great hockey nations. Only for that it is a great that they qualified for the OG although still they have to go a long way to be able to compete in the top of world hockey. The most important thing is that the people in India have patience and will allow the staff of the team to work in quietness and give them time.”