India may create history in Hockey this time!
Lata Rao, Special Correspondent
August 15, 2004

Can India create history in Hockey! Yes! It is about time. The game with Netherlands is crucial. If India can create an upset, it will be a starter of a lifetime!

India launch their quest for an Olympic medal in men’s hockey with a Group ''B'' match against the defending champions Netherlands here tomorrow, fully aware that a sloppy show in the very first outing could badly dent the confidence of a team haunted by a string of dismal shows in recent times. Although the Indians face a daunting task to put it across their fancied opponents, aiming to win the coveted gold medal for a third successive, the team will be keen to put up a spirited show, which could hold them in good stead in the subsequent pool matches. The team’s build up for the mega event has hardly been inspiring but they are still considered a dangerous side which has the capability of springing a surprise though it remains to be seen if they can really come good when it matters most. Clearly, the Indians have their tasks cut out and although they will step onto the turf at the Helliniko Sports Complex believing that they can beat the Dutch, they would also be conscious of the fact that keeping the margin of defeat low would also play an important part if they hoped to secure a berth in the semi-finals. The injury to young Sandeep Singh, the lone drag flicker in the team, a few days back in Germany, has been a cause of concern for the team think tank. Though Sandeep has recovered sufficiently from his hand injury to be on the bench for the crucial match tomorrow his effectiveness could be greatly reduced. The team has had four to five days to acclimatise to the humid conditions in Athens but they are known to be slow starters, an aspect which they are seriously trying to rectify. "We have practised on all the three pitches at the venue so that we do not face any difficulty. The team is very focussed and we are hoping to put up a good show", Jothikumaran said. The Indians took a break today concentrating on tactical sessions, having studied the videotapes of the rival teams. Mercurial striker Dhanraj Pillay, whose omission from the Olympic camp triggered off a controversy, has not really been able to make a mark in recent times and the seasoned campaigner with 413 matches to his credit will be eager to deliver the goods in his fourth and what is going to be his last Olympics. The defenders will have to pull up their socks and not make the mistake of conceding goals in the dying stages of the game, a problem that has plagued them for years. Though captain Dilip Tirkey is quite reliable, others like Harpal Singh and William Xalco will have to put up an inspired show. They will have to mark Teun de Nooijer tightly, a role which is likely to be played by Viren Rasquinha. DeNooijer has been nominated for the FIH Player of the year award five times in a row and will be the danger man for the Indians. Drag flick expert Taeke Taekema will be another dangerous player for the Indians and was capable of keeping Devesh Chauhan busy for most part of the contest.