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Bhaskaran optimistic despite team's poor showing

Vasudevan Bhaskaran, chief coach of the Indian hockey team, today said there were mixed patches in the squad's performance in the recently-concluded twin leg, four-nation tournament in Canberra and Sydney.

Commenting on the team's performance, after returning from Australia this morning, Bhaskaran said: "The boys matched their rivals shoulder to shoulder, but basically conceded goals in the final stages of either half. This is the worrying factor."

The Indian coach was of the opinion that the pace of the game had accelerated further after the Utrecht World Cup. "Gone are the days of any complacency," he said. "It is constant focused, zero-in nowadays."

He said the squad had eight relatively new faces, who hadn't been exposed to the highest echelons of top flight hockey. "With more competition, they will serve the country well." he said.

Bhaskaran also said the team improved after its shocking 1-6 defeat to South Korea in their opener. "We went down to Champions Trophy victors Australia 3-5, but not before giving them the jitters." he added.

Commenting on the umpiring, which was unanimously condemned by the Aussie press, he said it was part of the game. Incidentally, Indian umpire Blaise Monteiro was acknowledged as the best in the tournament.

The national coach was full of praise for skipper Mohd. Riaz, "who led from, supporting strikers Baljit Singh Dhillon and Samir Dad".

Forward Deepak Thakur also came in for a special mention as "the player with a good future". Thakur top scored for India in the double header despite nursing a toe injury.

Nevertheless, despite finishing last in both the tournaments, Bhaskaran was optimistic that the team will put up a "good show" in the Sydney Olympics as there is still about a year to go.

UNI