New Delhi: Indian team’s unbeatable streak in the Olympic qualifiers ensured that India has reserved a place in the London Olympics. India in the process played some extraordinary hockey and was clearly the best team in the tournament.

So, India has crossed one hurdle and will now participate in the tournament that will give them ultimate glory if they win it.

Indian captain, Bharat Chetri after the win said that India will not go to London just to participate, but will go there to win a medal for the country. He also added that doing what they did in the qualifiers into the Olympics will be very difficult.

The teams that India faced were ranked below them but the teams that the Indians will play against in the Olympics are the best in the world. There India will have to face, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Spain among other teams.

India can take a lot of heart after the way they played in the qualifiers. They were scoring goals at will, were winning the matches comfortably and were getting the support of the home crowd. But, India should know that things will be different in London.

There was some individual brilliance that made India look such a substantial team. Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh were in the form of their life. All the Indian drag-flickers had a great time and India’s penalty corner conversion was the highlight of the tournament.

But India have to keep this in their mind that the things will get tougher. India tried the variation in the PC only once and failed. India will know that the teams like Spain and Germany will be keeping notice of the Indian drag-flickers. The result could be very different out there.

Another area of concern for India will be their defence. Indian coach Michael Nobbs admitted that there was some defence lapses throughout the tournament. India was playing against the lesser teams, but teams like Australia and Netherlands can really cost them big time if India repeat their mistakes.

India took a lot of pride in their fitness aspect of the game and repeatedly claimed that they were the fittest side of the tournament. It is for sure that they will get a neck-to-neck challenge in that area as well. 

There is still five more months to go before the curtain rises in London. Though, India has taken a very easy road to London but the road that will lead India to an Olympic medal will be very difficult.

By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News