New Delhi: Talking about the goals and expectations from the Indian team in the league, head coach Terry Walsh said he has set realistic targets for the team and that expected the team to show improvement in the tournament which will be showcased physiologically, tactically, psychologically and sticking to basic skills when under pressure.
He said, “We will be evaluating the team on the improvement that they have shown in the League and how well the team handled the pressure during the tournament. We have put a training methodology in place which helps us evaluate the players psychologically keeping each ones individual performance as well as collective efforts as a team. This tournament will help us see if the boys will be applying the techniques that they have learned over the training sessions with them.”
Speaking on the team selection he added, “I am happy with the selection committee’s team line-up and training them is my responsibility.”
Speaking on training protocols he said, “The training protocols used internationally are highest rate in top nations and which are completely different from ours. We are trying to bring many of those things in our system especially the physiological part. I know this cannot be done overnight but the team has already started implementing it."
Meanwhile, vice-captain PR Sreejesh said, “Tomorrow is the first match and everyone’s first match is very crucial. It is very critical for us to keep our morals high and boost the confidence of the junior players.”
India
Current FIH World Ranking: 10
How they qualified: Tournament hosts
About the team: India may have only managed a 6th place finish at the Rabobank Hockey World League Semi Final event in Rotterdam, but a strong showing at the Asia Cup continental championship provided plenty of evidence that they are really stepping up their game. A youthful India team battled to a hugely impressive second place finish behind Korea at the Asia Cup, winning four of their five matches and giving a spirited showing against a Korea team packed with experience. The performances were extremely encouraging, and will give the team great confidence ahead of the challenge of facing the world’s best on home soil at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Recently appointed head coach and former Australia international striker Terry Walsh will be greatly looking forward to seeing how his team performs in this showpiece tournament.
One to watch: Sardar Singh. India captain Sardar Singh is a talismanic midfielder who is rated as one of the best players in the game. The 27-year-old has been involved with the international set-up since 2003, and in that time has grown into one of hockey’s brightest stars. If India claim the Hockey World League title on home soil, you can bet that Sardar will have played a significant role in that achievement.
