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Different and determined
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Rajinder Singh Junior is confident about his task of guiding the Indian hockey team in the Azlan Shah Trophy hockey championship
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PEARLS OF WISDOM Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey is all ears for Rajender Singh Jr. Photo: P. V. Sivakumar
He tries to be different as a coach, both on and off the field. Unlike many of his predecessors, Rajinder Singh Junior gives the impression of being more business-like in his approach as he guides the fortunes of the Indian hockey team in the Azlan Shah Trophy hockey championship.
"I am enjoying the job. I am confident that the boys will put up a much better show than they did in the last edition," says the 1984 Los Angeles Olympian after his team had a four-day training stint inclusive of practice matches against the Junior World Cup squad at Gachibowli Complex in Hyderabad.
"At the end of the three week camp, I did get an understanding of how the players may shape up in a big match. I have identified some players for particular positions. But it would be unfair to disclose the names right now," he says.
Questioned whether it was difficult to handle a senior team like the present one led by Dilip Tirkey, the coach, who recently fashioned Punjab & Sind Bank's maiden title in the Rangaswamy Cup in Hyderabad, says coaching at any level is a demanding task. "You are under pressure even if you are handling a club team. But the best thing about this Indian team is that the boys are in the right frame of mind and raring to go," he says.
Commenting on how the preparatory camp had gone for the boys, Rajinder Singh reiterates that the emphasis was on shoring up the defence and trying to improve short-corner conversions. Did he have a close look at the drag-flickers available on hand like Len Aiyappa?
Room for improvement
"Yes, Len looked good. And I am happy that in the four practice matches under lights in Hyderabad, our short-corner conversion was 60 per cent successful. But it needs to be improved further in international events," he says. But, he is happy that Len Aiyappa is showing all-round improvement as a ball-player too and not just with his drag-flicks. "We are having a close look at Suresh Kumar also in this department. We are keeping our options open so as to spring an element of surprise on our opponents," he adds.
On the prospects of the Indian team in the Azlan Shah Trophy, the Indian coach, who will be assisted by a Hyderabadi, Narindrapal Singh, doesn't want to put pressure on the boys. "We should take any event match by match and try to keep improving as the event progresses. The essence of success lies in how well we utilise the chances that come our way. And at the same time, avoid mispasses and fouls within the striking zone. This has been the biggest bane of Indian hockey," he analyses.
On goalkeeping, the chief coach is optimistic that Devesh Chauhan will excel under the bar.
"Any player goes through a low phase. I hope that with Devesh, it is a thing of the past," says the coach.
It is apparent that Rajinder Singh Junior is keen to start on a winning note to remind everyone that he means business while handling what is arguably one of the toughest jobs in Indian sport.
V.V.S.
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