Indian hockey to try out single keeper tactic

Kabir Mandrekar

After the Indian hockey squad for the Commonwealth Games was leaked on Saturday, the official team announcement was made on Monday, reiterating the new one-keeper tactic.

The Indian selectors agreed to this proposal put forth by the coaches on the condition that another player from the squad be trained to be a makeshift keeper. However, sources say neither any such training has been given to any player nor will it be possible so soon, with the final list to be submitted by September 3. “There has been no goalkeeping training given to any player from this squad. If the goalkeeper gets injured, we will be in trouble”, said the source.

According to government observer Ajitpal Singh, the idea was proposed by the coaches to make the team more attacking. “The coaches came forth with this new plan so that we could include an extra striker in the team”, Ajitpal told The Indian Express.

The Commonwealth Games squad can have only 16 players, hence the coaches’ decision. But the team risks embarrassment in case of an injury to their only goalkeeper. Ajitpal, however, denied any such risk and said that the selectors have asked the team to prepare a report for the training of a reserve goalkeeper.

“We have already asked the coaches to make a progress report of the stand-in keeper and send it to us before September 3. If the report is not in by then, we will revert to two goalkeepers again”, he said, implying that the final squad was not ready as yet.

Skipper Rajpal Singh, on the other hand, was positive about the new idea. “I am happy with the team selection. Many European countries are using this technique and it has been working for them. We will face stiff competition for the Commonwealth Games and the extra attacker will help us”, he said.

With just three days left before the final squad is sent for the Commonwealth Games, it remains to be seen whether the Indian team reverts to the two goalkeeper norm or continues risking one keeper.

Squad: goalkeeper: Bharat Chhetri; defenders : Sardar Singh, Sandeep Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Gurbaj Singh, Prabodh Tirkey; midfielders: Arjun Halappa, Vikram Pillay, Ravipal, Bharat Chikara, Danish Mujtaba, Sarvanjit Singh; forwards: Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandker, Shivendra Singh, Dharamvir Singh.