Alok Sinha

Michael Nobbs said the turf has settled down now. “Since we last played on it more than a month ago. The blue turf hits the eye as soon as you enter the makeshift hockey stadium at the Riverbank Arena here. The pink around it makes it look like an oversize children’s clothesline store.

But the Indians have got used to it in the past three months. In fact, coach Michael Nobbs said the turf has settled down now. “Since we last played on it more than a month ago, it has flattened out. It is smoother, yes,” he said.

Nobbs said that there were no more injury problems. “Sardar has recovered and is 100 per cent. Even Ignace Tirkey is doing well. That is not a problem area.”

Then what is worrying him? “Lack of experience. Holland has a team which has played together for the last five years. You can say the same about Germany. But these boys are fighters. They have qualified with spirit and will give it all here.” Steve Waugh has been motivating the Australian team. What is motivating India? “That sure makes a lot of difference. I would have been happy if our boys got a similar role model, maybe someone like Sachin (Tendulkar). They are under expected pressure.”

The star of the Indian team – Sardar Singh – looked in very good spirits. He patted his right knee when asked about his recent injury. “It is good now… no worries.”

Sardar too is happy with the turf now. “It has settled down after so many matches. It is playing heavier now and the bounce is better.”

But isn’t the blue distracting? “We have got used to it having played on it the past few months. It used to be odd earlier. If I complain about it, it would be an excuse.”

On the team’s motivation, Nobbs said the boys were watching Chak De India once in while, while Sardar said it was music that kept the boys happy. When asked about his choice, he said: “I love the music of Chamkila Saheb and Babboo Mann. I have all their songs.”

Nobbs said the idea was not to get distracted. “Focus is the word.”

During training, the team seemed a bit conscious amidst a strong media presence but they settled down once the eight-a-team matches began. They went at it swinging from one end to another. There was a bit of goofing around too, but Nobbs kept them on their toes. After an hour’s play, they practised penalty corner conversions, with Sandeep Singh and Raghunath flicking it hard from all angles.

The team has had two sessions on the main turf and two on the practice turf. They look ready. Now time will tell.