New Delhi, Jul 12: Placed in a tough pool, India's hockey coach Michael Nobbs said on Thursday that forms of vice-captain Sardara Singh and ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh would be crucial to the team's chances in the upcoming London Olympics. "I think we have the harder pool by long way and it will be foolhardy for any of these teams to say where they will finish. We are all trying to do the best we can," Nobbs said from La Albericia in Spain where the Indian team is playing practice matches.

"I expect the team to do its best. Not just in my opinion, but Sardara at this point in time probably is one of the two or three best players in the world. If he plays well we will do well. On the other hand, if Sandeep scores a bagful of Penalty Corner goals that will also be the key," the Australian coach added.

Back in the Olympics after missing out the Beijing Games, eight-time champions India have been placed in a tough Pool B alongside reigning champions Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Korea and Belgium. Nobbs felt Indian hockey was still in the rebuilding phase and it would need some more time to produce results on a consistent basis. "Not at this stage, but you never know (about India's chances in the Olympics). I am certain that we are well along the right track to start to produce consistent good results and that's going to happen," Nobbs said. The Australian is satisfied with India's build-up to the Olympics but said his team still needed to fix a few weak links.

PTI