India, Pak will have an edge in Hockey 9s: Ric

India and Pakistan are best-suited for hockey’s new nine-a-side format, Hockey 9s which will make its debut with the LANCO International Super Series in Perth from October 20-23, said Ric Charlesworth. Charlesworth, Australian men’s team coach, had conceptulised the nine-a-side format which will played under new rules to ensure fast-paced hockey.

Even though fitness will be key to a team’s success in this format, Charlesworth was of the view that India and Pakistan will have an edge over other teams in the four-nation tournament.

“These rules are made for India and Pakistan in my view. Most of us in Australia, love the way India and Pakistan traditionally play the game. We learnt most of our hockey from what we saw in the sub-continent,” Charlesworth said in a video message during the launch on Tuesday. “The Indian players have fluency, speed, terrific skills and play an attacking style of hockey.”

The tournament will feature hosts Australia, India, Pakistan and New Zealand in the men’s category, while India, Australia and Malaysia will fight it out in the women’s section for top honours. Indian women’s team coach C R Kumar too felt the format favoured the sub-continent teams. “India and Pakistan have better chance because they have better skill and finishing abilities,” he said.

Kumar, however, was realistic about his wards chances in the upcoming tournament. “It will be really tough for the Indian girls because we are still learning. Though we have enough skills it takes a lot of energy in such a format. A best a player can play for five minutes continuously,” he said. Kumar said that the new format can also make or break a goalkeeper’s career. “It would be tough for the goalkeepers to adjust to biggers goals. A goalkeeper has to have agility, reaction and sound decision-making power. If you commit first you are finish but you also can become a hero in 15 minutes,” he said.