Indian Hockey all set for Olympic qualifiers
Feb 15, 2012 | Pratirodh BureauThe void of missing the Beijing Olympics may never be fulfilled but watching the teams at practice instils the belief that India\\\’s return to the Olympics is on the cards.
While talking to reporters, the coach of the men\\\’s team Michael Nobbs said that his boys are working hard for the qualifiers.
The training is going on really well. There are no injury issues and we are now just finetuning. We are focussing on every little detail, every little thing that can cost us," Nobbs said.
The Indian men\\\’s team will face Canada, Singapore, France, Italy and Poland in the event, to be held here from February 18-26.
The former Indian captain Dilip Tirkey, who is also a government appointed national selector, is working extensively with the players.
Dilip is helping them on how to stop counters and what to do in pressure situations.
India captain Bharat Chetri said that Tirkey\\\’s inputs will be of immense help for the defenders, who have the perennial habit of succumbing under pressure.
The former technical adviser Ric Charlesworth has also expressed hope over India qualifying for the London Olympics.
He said that India has some very exciting players and can play some fabulous hockey but they need to be more consistent.
"I expect India to qualify as they have easily the easiest pathway…Canada, Poland and France can cause an upset but against India at home they do not have enough weapons," Charlesworth said.
Another former coach of Indian men\\\’s hockey team Jose Brasa also foresees Indian returning to Olympics this time.
Brasa is in India presently as the coach for the Ukraine women\\\’s hockey team.
" I am yet to meet the players, but they have a 100 percent chance of qualifying," said Brasa.