We have let the country down, says Nobbs
Coach suggests changes in squad after Olympics

Reet Oberoi

Indian men’s hockey coach Michael Nobbs suggested that the ” team was in for an overhaul” after the sorry state of affairs continued on Sunday. India lost their fourth match on the trot, this time going down to Korea by a 1-4 margin.

They will now in all probability play for the 11th-12th position, unless they manage to put it past Belgium in the last league match of Group B.

Nobbs was visibly upset and was at a loss of words to explain what was going wrong.

“What do I say?” he exclaimed. “If your players cannot even trap the ball correctly and forget the basics as soon as they step on the field, what is left to say?

“We have let ourselves and the entire nation down, and I apologise for that,” the coach said.

“I think we will need changes when we return to India and do a realistic assessment.”
Against Korea, India struggled to match the pace and missed many chances upfront. Coach Mohammed Riaz said the players were under pressure and hence could not score.

“We got a lot of chances, but messed them up every time. I think the players are under pressure due to non performance,” Riaz said.

Skipper Bharat Chetri reckoned it was a tale of missed chances.
“We are very slow inside the striking circle. We have the world’s best drag-flicker in the world, but even that is not working in our favour.”

Asked what was India doing to plug the loopholes, Chetri said it was best left for the coach to decide.

Nobbs said he was distraught with the show and might have to take drastic steps.
“An Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we cannot give excuses. Perhaps it is time to move ahead for some of the players,” the coach said.