Team India in a good mood ahead of Hockey World League semis despite injury worries

India’s national team coach Paul van Ass

The Indian hockey team is taking the upcoming Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final to focus on the mental side of the game. Having already secured a spot for the 2016 Rio Olympics, India can afford to take the HWL, where the top 3 finishers get an Olympic berth, lightly.

Coach Paul van Ass is not overly worried regarding the injuries in the squad, with V Raghunath joining SV Sunil, Kothajit Singh and Gurbaj Singh on the injury list. He said that injuries are inevitable and called for the fringe players to step up.

“It (Injuries) will always happen. It happens when you push the level and intensity up while training. When you raise level it is severe on the body. But I take it as it is, key players are missing but it's also an opportunity for others. If one is missing, the other can step up,” explained Van Ass.

Speaking ahead of a practice session at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi, Van Ass said that the team is working on the mental aspect which will help the team with finishing while revealing that they have changed tactics to help with the defence.

“We need to close the space. We have changed (tactics) and we have to work on that. We are doing practice, but we have to see how it works under pressure,” said Van Ass about the defence.

“Finishing is like defence. We have to make sure that we have a fair chance and that's a team effort. You can train for that, but the biggest part is execution. That's a mental aspect. Of course, we are working on that. you have to grab tiny chances that can make a big difference.”

Players looking forward to the HWL

Rupinder Pal Singh, who was initially overlooked, but made his comeback thanks to the injury to first-choice drag-flicker Raghunath, said that he will take this opportunity to prove that he is good enough.

“I did not want to come back to team like this. I feel for Raghunath. But now I have to prove that I am good enough. I have to be mentally prepared since playing from a different position is difficult. If I miss penalty corner, it will add to pressure on me,” said the defender.

The national team captain Sardar Singh said that replacements – Devender Walmiki, Rupinder and Satbir Singh – are doing well before admitting that the team needs to work on a few areas.

The Indian captain revealed, “Injuries are there, but we want to try new players. The replacement players are doing well. But still there are areas we need to work on. Fitness is there but we have to use our mind during those 60 minutes. We will apply (new methods) in this tournament.”

Birendra Lakra explained that the team is learning during the training camp.

He said, “Under the new training structure, the players are being trained on different positions. It has been a learning period, like man-to-man marking. We have to adjust to new structure.”