Walsh knows players will have to do one better to clinch gold at Asian Games
Midfielder Manpreet Singh (left) and striker Ramandeep Singh at a training session at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.
New Delhi: In a month’s time, the traditional sport of hockey played over a period of 70 minutes and two halves will witness many firsts. The upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, will be the first international tournament where the teams will play under the new format of 60 minutes, and four quarters of play with an increase in the number of breaks. For the Indian team, who clinched a silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month, the preparations for the changes had begun in Glasgow itself.
Chief coach Terry Walsh believes it will require a “few adjustments” and “quick thinking” from the think-tank to help the players settle under the new system.“At this moment, it is the same for every team. We have been training under the new format and the boys have responded well,” said Walsh here as the 33-strong squad went through their drills.“But I don’t think it will change the game much in terms of duration of play. The big difference would be the three breaks of two minutes each and that will allow one to refresh players and not necessarily take them out of the pitch as much. So, you might see top players in action may be a little bit more in the final sections.”
India put up a consistent show at the Commonwealth Games but Walsh knows his bunch will have to go one better at the Asian Games, where a gold will hand them an automatic berth for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.“We have a legitimate chance to win a gold at the Asian Games. But my aim will be improvement and playing better each day. And if we do that effectively, it will give us successful results.
“Realistically, India are a medal prospect and will be regarded as one of the favourites at the Asian Games, but that doesn’t mean anything. At the end of the day, you have to play well.” On the match-up against Pakistan, who have been drawn in India’s pool at the event, the Australian said, “If there is more pressure, I think it will be on the team who have not played at this level since the last 12 months (Pakistan failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup). There is always the historical and traditional pressure which India and Pakistan are known for, but nothing more,” Walsh added.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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