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[Sahir]

India face tough World Cup opener

Placed in a tough pool that includes holders Germany and Champions Trophy winners the Netherlands, the Indian hockey team is set to begin their campaign in the 11th World Cup for men, in Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

With a refurbished team and a new coach in Vasudevan Baskaran, Dilip Tirkey-led India will play Germany in their opening pool B league fixture.

The Indians have been through a testing period since finishing 10th at the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the scene of their only triumph back in 1975.

"The players are motivated and we hope to do well here. Realistically, our target is to qualify for the semi-finals," said Baskaran.

Since Baskaran took charge of the team earlier this year, the team has had little international matchplay and this is something the coach is conscious of.

"If I had more time, then we would have been better prepared," he said.

A four-nation tournament in Germany followed by the Azlan Shah Cup competition in Kuala Lumpur have been the only preparatory events for India, besides the three warm-up games since their arrival in Germany.

Even before the Indians left for the World Cup, they suffered a huge setback when their key player and penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh was injured in a freak accident.

"His absence will be felt, but then, we need to look forward," said Baskaran.

The Indians have included rookie V Ramachandra Raghunath from Kodagu, Karnataka, as Sandeep's replacement. For this youngster, it is a huge leap from the junior ranks. He was selected from among the three probables who were tried in the matches with Belgium and Japan.

India's approach in the league phase would be to drop as few points as possible, but their route to qualification for the semi-finals has two big hurdles in Germany and the Netherlands, the teams that India have never beaten in the World Cup.

The Germans have rebuilt a strong side after winning the 2002 edition and boast of a team that has a good mix of youth and experience. They would be keen to present a farewell gift to their coach Bernhard Peters who is to move to football at the end of this World Cup.

But it is the Dutch that look the hot favourites to win their fourth World Cup, a record that would tie them with Pakistan. They have been on a roll this year, winning the Azlan Shah Cup, the Champions Trophy and the four-Nation Hamburg Masters.

With two veterans, skipper Jerome Delmee and Teun de Nooijer, both playing their fourth and last World Cup, in their ranks, the Dutch appear all primed to take home the Cup on September 17.

Among other contenders, Spain and Australia, like the Dutch and the Germans, are front-runners for the title. Spain, who are without Juan Pablo Escarre, who led them to their only Champions Trophy title in 2004 and the European championship in 2005, still look a team to beat with the crafty coach Maurits Hendricks prompting them.

Likewise, Australia too appear strong on paper, but there is a question mark over their "big match temperament" that has often seen them collapsing in the World Cup finals, just like they did four years ago, losing to Germany in extra-time.

However, the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens has boosted the team that will be without their key striker Grant Schubert, who was injured just before the team's departure to Europe.

Pakistan would be spearheading the Asian challenge that also includes 2002 semi-finalists Korea. But Pakistan's recent record has been far from impressive, especially after the departure of their coach Roelant Oltmans (currently handling the Netherlands) last year. The green shirts can be handful on their day, though their current form hardly inspires confidence.

The same could be said of the Koreans whose thrust and speed can rip open the best of defences. However, at best, they could be classified as the tournament's 'dark horses'.

http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/sep/05hock.htm

[Sahir]

India's chances of podium finish slim

The hockey World Cup will be a real test of character for India, who are struggling to make a mark at the highest level of late.

Keeping in mind the Indian team's inconsistency in big events, I will be very happy to see the side figure in the semi-finals, for from there anything can happen. But, realistically, that is going to be very tough. Yet, there is a chance of finishing in the top six, which to my mind will be a decent finish.

Sure India has one win and two other medals, one each of silver and bronze, but it also needs to be borne in mind that all these three medals came in the first three editions of the World Cup and the gold came in 1975.

Since then, in nine editions, India have never figured on the podium and that is indeed a tragedy for there have been times when the team has indeed looked good. The fact is a team needs to get into the semi-finals to contend for a medal and India have not done that.

India has both Germany and Holland in their group, besides England, South Africa and Japan. They will need to make sure they beat the last three teams and ensure decent results against Germany and Holland to have a chance of making their first semi-finals in more than 30 years.

This team will miss Sandeep Singh, for he was capable of pulling India out of a hole in a tense situation with his conversion through drag-flicks. With an unfortunate accident putting him out of action, his replacement, Raghunath, will have a big responsibility, but he is not a drag flicker in the same mould.

Often we hear that one of the keys of today's hockey is that tournaments are being won on the strength of their penalty-corner specialists. Time and again, it is the penalty-corner specialists who have been the top-scorers for their sides. And that provided them with the winning edge.

While penalty-corner specialists may seem to have become all-important now, the fact is they always have been.

I still remember one of my early heroes, the late Surjit Singh being the star for India in the early editions of World Cup and later we had Rajinder Singh, who was the leading scorer for India in 1982. Internationally, who does not know the contribution of Tanvir Dar or now Sohail Abbas's

contribution to Pakistan or that of the legendary Ties Kruize and then Paul Litjens. Add to this great category the Argentine, Jorge Lombi.

So the onus for India will be on Kamalpreet Singh and Dilip Tirkey, who will also be expected to take the set pieces.

A few days ago I met Gagan Ajit Singh and he looked confident. He said the boys are combining well and I hope they do so in Germany, too.

That brings me to India's first opponent for the 11th edition of the World Cup. India have always managed to draw a very strong opponent in their first game and that often sets the tone for the tournament.

The first opponent will be hosts Germany this time. We have often played them in first games. Though the teams are closely matched, the Germans generally manage to get the better.

In the 1992 Olympics, we lost 0-3 and after that we were always fighting to find our confidence.

So our first match against Germany will tell us a lot in which direction we are headed in this time. The hosts, who could not manage to win the World Cup of football on home soil will be aiming to set that right in hockey. They are an extremely fit, aggressive and skilful side and India will do well to keep them in check.

Pakistan have a great World Cup record with four wins, the maximum by any side, but of late they have struggled, which is why Sohail Abbas is back.

The Dutch, with Teun de Nooijer, one of the finest forwards in the world today, besides the

likes of Ronald Brouwer and Roderick Weusthof start as favourites. And they also have Jerome Delmee and Taeke Takema, which makes them a solid side.

PTI

http://www.rediff.com/sports/2006/sep/05hock1.htm

[toney]

Is this the same Bhaskaran who coached India sometime ago (probably for the Barcelona Olympics)?
Each WC or Olympics, I pray for this team. This time, no expectations from me. The one change I see is that usually, our team has a few good results before the tournament and then, the entire nation waits in hope. This time, there is nothing to mislead us.

[Sahir]

Is this the same Bhaskaran who coached India sometime ago (probably for the Barcelona Olympics)?
Each WC or Olympics, I pray for this team. This time, no expectations from me. The one change I see is that usually, our team has a few good results before the tournament and then, the entire nation waits in hope. This time, there is nothing to mislead us.

Yes, the same Bhaskaran.  We keep going in circles, from nowheresville to suckersville to losersville to chokersville and back to nowheresville.

[esvee]

If any one of you know about live streaming of the world cup, Please post the details.

[toney]

esvee, go to http://www.fihockey.org/
They offered free streaming for a Champions Trophy (I think last year).

[toney]

I just checked. Try worldhockey.tv
They have optimized for IE but Firefox works fine for me. The best thing is, this is free.

[esvee]

I just checked. Try worldhockey.tv
They have optimized for IE but Firefox works fine for me. The best thing is, this is free.

Thanks Toney. I will try watching it today.

[justforkix]

What is there to watch - As always, we will allow a goal in the 70th min an lose all the games....

[toney]

jfk, we lost to Eng today

[justforkix]

jfk, we lost to Eng today

And, what did I tell - how did we lose - in that same DAMN manner 

[Sahir]

WTF!!!!!!!!  WE STINK!  Can't even beat England at our national sport.  Just when we take a step forward, we take 3 steps back.  Already we do not qualify for the Champions Trophy anymore where only the top 6 in the world play, and soon, we will also be outside the top 10 and losing to the US as well, the way things are going.  Arrrrrgh!

[LosingNow]

WTF!!!!!!!!  WE STINK!  Can't even beat England at our national sport.  Just when we take a step forward, we take 3 steps back.  Already we do not qualify for the Champions Trophy anymore where only the top 6 in the world play, and soon, we will also be outside the top 10 and losing to the US as well, the way things are going.  Arrrrrgh!

I feel your pain. Oh, what a fall!! This is beyond belief.
 
BTW, they had started Professional Hockey League a couple of years ago.. is that still ON. I personally think, it is "back to basics" time and we need to get our domestic structure right..including cleaning up the entire IHF administration.

[Sahir]

WTF!!!!!!!!  WE STINK!  Can't even beat England at our national sport.  Just when we take a step forward, we take 3 steps back.  Already we do not qualify for the Champions Trophy anymore where only the top 6 in the world play, and soon, we will also be outside the top 10 and losing to the US as well, the way things are going.  Arrrrrgh!

I feel your pain. Oh, what a fall!! This is beyond belief.
 
BTW, they had started Professional Hockey League a couple of years ago.. is that still ON. I personally think, it is "back to basics" time and we need to get our domestic structure right..including cleaning up the entire IHF administration.

The Professional Hockey League is still going on, with foreign players involved as well, but eventually, the players have to play much better as a team.  I think we have made the right move by finally getting rid of some old players that were playing well past their prime in Dhanraj Pillay and Dhillon, and unfortunately, we have been struck with some very untimely injuries (or freak accidents) to our two brightest young stars in Jugraj Singh and Sandeep Singh.  I'm still hoping that once we get these two back and firing, the team could be much stronger by the Olympics.  However, for that to happen, we need a much greater contribution from the most experienced on offense, Gagan Ajit Singh, who now must bear the burden of offensive leader well in the absence of those former players that are no longer part of the scene.  Furthermore, despite the poor showing in this World Cup so far, I sincerely hope the team does not give up on the recent strenuous fitness camps they have been undergoing under their new trainer.  It is an area that we lag far behind the Australians, Dutch, Germans, Koreans, Spanish, and Pakistanis, to an extent.  Youthful legs have assuaged the situation somewhat, but there is still some ways to go.

[suraj]

http://sport.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1973512.cms


Drew against SA and knocked out; Pathetic

[dextrous]

WTF!!!!!!!!  WE STINK!  Can't even beat England at our national sport.  Just when we take a step forward, we take 3 steps back.  Already we do not qualify for the Champions Trophy anymore where only the top 6 in the world play, and soon, we will also be outside the top 10 and losing to the US as well, the way things are going.  Arrrrrgh!

I feel your pain. Oh, what a fall!! This is beyond belief.
 
BTW, they had started Professional Hockey League a couple of years ago.. is that still ON. I personally think, it is "back to basics" time and we need to get our domestic structure right..including cleaning up the entire IHF administration.

The Professional Hockey League is still going on, with foreign players involved as well, but eventually, the players have to play much better as a team.  I think we have made the right move by finally getting rid of some old players that were playing well past their prime in Dhanraj Pillay and Dhillon, and unfortunately, we have been struck with some very untimely injuries (or freak accidents) to our two brightest young stars in Jugraj Singh and Sandeep Singh.  I'm still hoping that once we get these two back and firing, the team could be much stronger by the Olympics.  However, for that to happen, we need a much greater contribution from the most experienced on offense, Gagan Ajit Singh, who now must bear the burden of offensive leader well in the absence of those former players that are no longer part of the scene.  Furthermore, despite the poor showing in this World Cup so far, I sincerely hope the team does not give up on the recent strenuous fitness camps they have been undergoing under their new trainer.  It is an area that we lag far behind the Australians, Dutch, Germans, Koreans, Spanish, and Pakistanis, to an extent.  Youthful legs have assuaged the situation somewhat, but there is still some ways to go.

Actually, from many reports, it appears that Dhanraj is still in awesome shape and has been doing quite well in the foreign (malaysian?) league he's playing in. But, he has had a longstanding conflict with Mr. Gill...
The latest freak accident was quite sad, and has seriously handicapped our penatly taking abilities, where so many goals are scored these days.

[Sahir]

Actually, from many reports, it appears that Dhanraj is still in awesome shape and has been doing quite well in the foreign (malaysian?) league he's playing in. But, he has had a longstanding conflict with Mr. Gill...
The latest freak accident was quite sad, and has seriously handicapped our penatly taking abilities, where so many goals are scored these days.

Dextrous,
I am going by what I have seen, as opposed to reports.  I think Dhanraj was done a long time ago at the international level.  Every time I saw him on the field, the last year or so, he unequivocally looked the worst player out of both sides (don't just go by match reports-- after watching the games, you realize how bogus they are).  He was a great player, but everyone's time comes.  He may still do it at a lower level of competition, but is well and truly done in my books.  It took our team far too long to accept this fact because of his unbelievable stature.

[Sahir]

India's absolutely dismal run continues, losing to South Korea 2-1.  This World Cup is getting farcical with India yet to win a single game.  Considering their last opponents are the Netherlands, I doubt the record is going to change.  This is probably going to be the worst World Cup in Indian history as we continue to slump further at our national sport.  The coach's postion has been a revolving door and I would not be surprised if there is yet another change after this unequivocal disaster.  Nobody was expecting a miracle, but to not win a single game and be in danger of having the worst performance in the entire tournament along with Japan is beyond ridiculous.  The last thing I want to hear are excuses for finishing 11th out of 12 teams.

[toney]

The last thing I want to hear are excuses for finishing 11th out of 12 teams.

The Indian team definitely has a good excuse. They never planned for the possibility that other teams may actually play well.

[Sahir]

India got hammered 6-1 by Netherlands.  Unfortunately, we were not playing tennis-- this is hockey!  The scoreline says it all-- Indian hockey is headed in one direction-- down the toilet!

[suraj]

India got hammered 6-1 by Netherlands.  Unfortunately, we were not playing tennis-- this is hockey!  The scoreline says it all-- Indian hockey is headed in one direction-- down the toilet!

 

I laugh but this is a tragedy

[toney]

India got hammered 6-1 by Netherlands.  Unfortunately, we were not playing tennis-- this is hockey!  The scoreline says it all-- Indian hockey is headed in one direction-- down the toilet!

I laugh but this is a tragedy

Are you Jackie Shroff?

[toney]

There is reason to celebrate, we scored a goal.

[toney]

Germany won (defended their title).
We lost 3-2 to them due to a last min goal.
We lost 6-1 agaist the Dutch.
What does all this prove? That we are the most inconsistent hockey team in the WC.

[Sahir]

Germany won (defended their title).
We lost 3-2 to them due to a last min goal.
We lost 6-1 agaist the Dutch.
What does all this prove? That we are the most inconsistent hockey team in the WC.

No, no-- we were very consistent.  We did not manage to win a single game.  Never are we capable of winning anything in hockey these days.  Therefore, it is not really an inconsistent side-- it is simply a terrible side.  The state of Indian hockey is similar to the turd I dumped out last night-- in the gutter!

[justforkix]

Germany won (defended their title).
We lost 3-2 to them due to a last min goal.
We lost 6-1 agaist the Dutch.
What does all this prove? That we are the most inconsistent hockey team in the WC.

It proves that we just missed the World Cup because of a last min goal 

[dextrous]

by the way, we beat SA by 1 goal to finish second-last.

[toney]

by the way, we beat SA by 1 goal to finish second-last.

Woohoo.
Oh wait, I thought you said ... to finish second.
Anyhow, there will be a day when we are back as hockey giants.

[suraj]

by the way, we beat SA by 1 goal to finish second-last.

I am so proud of India

BTW is KPS Gill still managing IHF?? He was supposed to bring in revolutionary changes

[dhruvdeepak]

by the way, we beat SA by 1 goal to finish second-last.

I am so proud of India

BTW is KPS Gill still managing IHF?? He was supposed to bring in revolutionary changes

he still is. he said that despite this poor showing, indian hockey is on the up 
when asked about the 6-1 drubbing by holland, he replied saying "the indian cricket team has also just lost a match, it does not mean they are on the decline" 

[suraj]

by the way, we beat SA by 1 goal to finish second-last.

I am so proud of India

BTW is KPS Gill still managing IHF?? He was supposed to bring in revolutionary changes

he still is. he said that despite this poor showing, indian hockey is on the up 
when asked about the 6-1 drubbing by holland, he replied saying "the indian cricket team has also just lost a match, it does not mean they are on the decline" 

Buddha sanak gaya hai