Indian hockey team upbeat of winning gold at Asian Games

Indian hockey team celebrates a goal

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS)

India hockey captain Sardar Singh and chief coach Terry Walsh Thursday expressed the hope that the team would end its 16-year-long wait for the Asian Games gold at the South Korean city of Incheon next month.

The India team has been clubbed in Pool B with Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Oman and China for the Asian Games Sep 19-Oct 4. India's gold medals at the Asian Games came in 1966 and 1998 and their last best finish recently was a silver medal in 2002 Busan edition.

"We are placed with Pakistan and China in our pool and we are looking forward to our clash against Pakistan. While the team is excited, we are not leaving anything to chance and we will take each match on the go,” Singh said.

"We are aiming to win the Gold and it all depends on how well we will start the tournament. The boys are working on the penalty corners, defence and attack and in the process aim to further strengthen our coordination on the field," said Singh after a practise session at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Walsh also echoed the sentiments of his captain and said the team was aiming for only the gold.

"We are focusing on creating opportunities for corners and converting them. We are even working on our ability to move the game from midfield to forward which will help on putting pressure on the defence of opponents hence creating chances for us," he said.

On the two-minutes break in each quarter, Walsh said: "The break in each quarter will allow players to refresh and the team is working on this new format and making strategy accordingly."