By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Feb 27
THE celebrations continued till early morning. After a long wait of eight years, Indian hockey team is back in Olympic fold. The memories of Chile disaster four years ago where India failed to qualify for Beijing Olympics finally got wiped out on Sunday. Thus the extended celebrations.
The team celebrated their resounding 8-1 win over France but they all know that the road ahead is far tough. Indian captain and goal-keeper Bharat Chetri was aware of the task but said that the team was ready to work harder to face tougher teams.
Talking exclusively to ‘The Hitavada’ from New Delhi, Chetri said the team would work hard on fitness and look to iron out flaws.
Excerpts.
CELEBRATIONS AFTER THE WIN
“Personally the morning was bad. We celebrated till dawn. I still have a hangover (laughs). But that was necessary. For more than six months day in and day out we worked hard. We had no other agenda on our list. No parties, no spicy food. No outings. Nothing. Now that we have qualified and have a few days break, we can enjoy. It (the party) was necessary.
SUPPORT STAFF’S COMMENDABLE ROLE
“I would like to give the credit to entire team and specially the support staff. They worked hard behind the scene to make us match-fit for entire 70 minutes. Under coach Michael Nobbs they worked really hard. I would also like to thank Hockey India and Sports Ministry for providing us the best of facilities. Above all credit to the supporters who backed us all the way. It was because of them we gave 110 per cent on field.”
ONE-SIDED FINAL
“We were expecting an easy win (over France)...at least by six goals as we had defeated them in the league match (6-2). But an 8-1 margin was icing on the cake. We were confident that if we continue in the same rhythm we can beat them hands down. We did.”
TOUGHER ROAD AHEAD
“The Olympics would be much tougher. We will be facing top ranked teams. We will now be working much more harder for the Olympics. We will participate in the pre-Olympic test event in London where we can gauge their game. Definitely there are some grey areas but that happens when you play a weaker side. Your performance improves against a better ranked team. We would like to improve and do much better. When you play world’s best team, you get an idea about your strengths and weaknesses.”
CHANGES MAY BE NEEDED
“At present the team is excellent. The defence is great, midfielders are doing the best job and forwards are exceptional. But when you play tough teams you have to improve standard and take it to a higher level. If there are any better or extraordinary players then they should definitely get a chance. We would be assembling for the camp after a few days. Then only we can see who is better. At present I can’t say who can be included.”
SANDEEP THE TRUMP CARD
“Sandeep is much better than Dutchman Taeke Taekema and Pakistan’s Sohail Abbas. He has more power than the two and I think at present he is the best in the world. He will be our trump card in London. Not only him even Raghunath and Rupinderpal Singh are now the best drag-flickers.”
ATTACKING HOCKEY
“Coach Nobbs has done a great job in bringing in the attacking game. With our skill and speed we can keep continuos pressure on the opponents’ circle. In the qualifiers our circle penetration was more than 60 per cent. If we continue to attack then we can goal-scoring opportunities. The more circle penetration the more the opponents are bound to commit mistake. I think this is the best way to move forward and we will continue to increase our speed and attacks.”
ROLLING SUBSTITUTION
“The seven minutes substitution gives every player much needed rest and time to regain stamina. Today’s hockey is only about speed. Every player has to run up and down on entire field. For that we need players with good stamina and speed. Those on the field give their best in those six-seven minutes which help in scoring goals. It’s like giving 100 per cent for six minutes and taking rest for next six minutes. In that way the entire team gives 100 per cent for entire 70 minutes which puts pressure on the opponents. I think it’s a good idea to keep players rotating and substituting.”
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