With HI set to retain two goalkeepers, India might regret at depleted bench in London Olympics

With Hockey India likely to budget for two ’keepers for London, India could have a depleted bench, writes Hindustan Times. “Hockey India (HI) looks set to retain PR Sreejesh — who has stood between the posts in all crucial matches of late, including the final of the Olympic qualifiers — as the first-choice goalkeeper. And, they also plan to include Bharat Chetri, the skipper,” says a report in HT.

Generally, there is one goalkeeper in a 16-member squad and only if the squad’s size is 18, is a reserve keeper included.

So, in London, while all elite teams, including Australia, Germany and the Netherlands, will have a single goalkeeper — and five potential substitutes on the bench —, India are likely to have two keepers and four substitutes on the bench.

Questioning HI’s logic, a senior player said, “We went with one goalkeeper to the Commonwealth Games and Guangzhou Asian Games. So, why two for London?

“During the CWG and Asian Games, Chetri was the only goalkeeper and one of the outfield players was trained to be a reserve, in case of an emergency. So, why isn’t the same plan being implemented for London?” he questioned.

Gurvinder Singh Chandi and Ignace Tirkey will be keenly watched as coach Michael Nobbs and Hockey India selectors get to pick the 16 for the London Olympics in July, says a report in The Times Of India.

The two-day trials in Pune, beginning Wednesday, may provide answers to the team's woes in the defence and attack with Tirkey and Chandi being touted as links who can shore up the team during moments of crisis. During last week's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Nobbs went on record saying that the absence of the two players had blunted the team at critical points of time.

While Chandi had missed the tournament with a hamstring injury sustained during the London Olympic Test event early this year, Tirkey had been rested so as to keep him fresh and ready for the Olympics.