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Hockey
By S.Thyagarajan
It is tempting to project the combination as laced appropriately with youth and experience. A critical scrutiny proves that the youth content is predominant. That the two stalwarts, Dhanraj Pillay and Baljeet Singh Dhillon, with over 600 internationals between them, constitute the core of the team's strength should not be overlooked. Where the squad appears vulnerable is in deep defence, including goalkeeping. Kamaldeep Singh has lived far too long under the shadow of Devesh Chauhan. He needs to prove his proficiency to match the expectations. As for Adrian D'Souza, consistent good performances in the junior ranks have taken him to the elite group where baptism is bound to be tough. The deep defence of Hardip, Sandeep and Xalco remains an enigma. Barring Hardip, who did a splendid job in the Afro-Asian Games, the other two are viewed only as promising material. Sandeep's prowess as a penalty corner hitter would be put to test here. Either Dilip Tirkey or Kanwalpreet Singh could have been retained to add pluck in this area. Quite predictably, the mid-field which contains a talented bunch appears to be the strongest. Ignace Tirkey, Vikram Pillay and Len Aiyappa have enough international experience. Vinay is touted as the most promising wing half, while Girish Pimpale and Prabhdeep Singh find their places on the strength of their displays in the junior tournaments. The trump card here, however, is Len Aiyappa whose extraordinary conversion rate in penalty corners in the Malaysian League may be important in deciding the outcome of crucial matches. The effectiveness of the frontline rests largely on Dhanraj and Dhillon. Tushar Khandekar and Sandeep Micheal, who were under-utilised by the chief coach, Rajinder Singh for no palpable reason, have the best opportunity to demonstrate their competence. Since his profitable outings in Australia last year, Sandeep Micheal has been among goals in all the important matches. Arjun Halappa takes his rightful place in the attack although the previous coaches used him as a mid-fielder. Hariprasad and Rajpal Singh are greenhorns who should be thirsting to show their mettle at higher levels. The phenomenal success recorded by the chief coach, Harendra Singh, in junior competitions must help him frame the right strategies to match his counterparts like Barry Dancer (Australia), Maurits Hendriks (Spain), Bernhard Peters (Germany), and Paul Lissek (Malaysia), not to speak of the new Pakistani coach, Roelant Oltmans. Harendra Singh has an expert pool of assistance in Subbiah, Clarance Lobo, Ramandeep Singh, apart from the presence of the national chief coach, Rajinder Singh, who is named the observer. To portray this outfit as a winning unit will be ridiculed as morbid optimism. A podium finish will go a long way in proving the misgivings of the Malaysian Hockey Federation over India not taking the event seriously. India takes on the World Champion, Germany, in the opening match on Thursday (Jan. 8).
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