India's chances in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2011

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup has been a happy hunting ground for the Indian hockey team since past 5 years. In last five years of Sultan Azlan Shah Indian team has achieved podium finish in every edition and won last two editions of the tournament. So looking at the previous performances this year also a good result is expected from the Indian team.

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

But this year, first place finish will be difficult for the inexperienced Indian team who are missing key players. Nevertheless this is a good chance for the Indian hockey team to test younger players the future of the team. Arjun Halappa has an inexperienced but promising back-line at his disposal. Dhananjay Mahadik has played fifty odd matches before for India. He scored the only hat-trick Sultan Azlan Shah last year against Egypt. While Rupinder Pal Singh has just played over ten games but is a good penalty corner option for the team. Arjun Halappa and his midfield trio of Vikram Pillay, Gurbaj Singh and VS Vinaya will have to plug the gap of inexperience of forward line and defense.

India played their practice game against New Zealand yesterday and despite missing some key players Indian team looks prepared for the tournament after beating New Zealand 5-3 in the practice game. Dhananjay Mahadik and Rupinder Pal Singh scored 2 goals each through penalty corners while Baljit Singh Chandi scored the other. Team also conceded three goals through penalty corners largely due to inexperienced defense.

Defense as usual will be a worrying factor for Indian team like every other tournament. Shivender Singh will have to take the pressure in the front and goal scoring duties in absence of Rajpal and Tushar.

So for India’s SAZ campaign, the experienced midfield will have to rise up to the occasion and deliver in both offense and defense. Arjun Halappa and Gurbaj Singh are two players who have the ability to do that, change the tempo of the game when needed, deliver killer passes to the forward line, pitch in with goals and defend too.

This tournament is going to be a tough outing for Indian team due to inexperience in the side. The Indian hockey team should try to aim for a 3rd place finish (The team only said not to expect wonders). Anything above 3rd place would be blessing for the team. Pakistan has the strongest team of the tournament and are one of the favorites. Great Britain has also brought a good side in the tournament (they got best players from their league). Malaysia would be push-overs despite their victory over India in the Asian Games. Australia are without few first team players and specially Jamie Dwyer who can change the game single-handedly. Korea also has an inexperienced side for this tournament.

So Indian team can best look to finish in the 3rd position and hope that one of its defenders come good and fill the spot left by Dilip Tirkey.

My predictions1st-Pakistan2nd-Great Britain3rd-Australia or India4th-Australia or India5th-Malaysia6th-Korea7th-New Zealand