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Saturday, Sep 02, 2006

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India tight-lipped about strategies

Monchengladbach (Germany): The Indian hockey team has preferred to keep its cards close to its chest regarding its strategies at the World Cup scheduled to begin here from September 6.

The team management is not ready to speak either about injured drag-flicker Sandeep Singh's replacement or the changed plans it has chalked out to make up for Sandeep's absence.

While chief coach V. Baskaran said he could not talk about any strategy of the team at this stage, coach Harendra Singh it would not be wise to divulge the details.

Asked whether the team has chalked out any plans on penalty corner conversions, Harendra said he could not share those even if they had it ready.

``Obviously we have worked out some plans. But, it will be foolish to talk about those now. Even you people (media) know it,'' he told PTI.

Strong option

It appears that the Indian team is considering captain Dilip Tirkey as a strong option to meet the demands of penalty corner conversion.

Tirkey, who played in the second practice match against Belgium at Cologne, shot twice from penalty corners and could be gearing up to don the crucial role in the World Cup.

Penalty corner specialists Jugraj Singh and Vikramjit Singh have been tried in two practice matches and R. Raghunath would be fielded in the last match against Japan on Saturday after which the team management would take a decision as to who would stay to do the duty of a drag-flicker.

Means to an end

On the practice matches, Baskaran said these were only the means to an end.

``Only one thing I can tell you that these are all part of the preparations, which have gone well so far and the players have responded well,'' he said. Baskaran said the players were enjoying the slightly chill but pleasant weather in Germany while getting ready for the opening tie against host Germany on September 9. — PTI

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