Top-six finish at World Cup realistic goal, say players

Billed as a “pep talk” session with the chief sponsor to encourage the Indian hockey team, Thursday night was supposed to be an open interaction between the players and the media.
But the responses to controversial questions were guarded, coach Jose Brasa was instructed not to speak at all and most players, while reiterating that they were targeting a top-four finish, did not shy away from admitting that the first goal for the team was to win as matches as possible in the league stage of the elite event beginning February 28.

Despite finishing a lowly 11th out of 12 teams at the World Cup in 2006, the team is counting on home support this time around. “Everyone is talking about Pakistan. But the fact is, winning against Pakistan is important mainly because it will not only make the competition easier for us but also set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament,” striker Tushar Khandker said.

Talking at a personal level, however, most players agreed that a top-six finish would be a more realistic target. “Even if we manage that, it will be an achievement compared to our 11th-place finish in the last edition,” a senior player said.

India have, in fact, consistently slid a place in each of the past three editions, finishing ninth in 1998, 10th in 2002 and 11th in 2006. And Arjun Halappa, the only player in the squad to figure in all three editions in this decade, feels this may well be one chance to again raise the sport’s profile. “I am not sure how long I will carry on, so this World Cup is very important for me. The tournament is also important for the future of players and Indian hockey,” said the 29-year-old.

Even former players admit that expecting anything more from the Indian team would not only be wrong but also unfair, given the hug gap between them and the top teams in the world. “Going by past record and present form, Germany, Australia, Holland and Spain will be obvious choices for a podium finish,” one said.

Talking about Pakistan, skipper Rajpal Singh said that the added pressure would actually work as an advantage. “This is the World Cup and all teams are equally important. We have home advantage on our side. A little bit of pressure will be there but it should work as a positive factor. It is good that India and Pakistan are playing the first match. But personally, apart from Germany, I feel Australia are a tough side in the tournament.”