Confident India take on Malaysia in grudge opener

Melbourne, Mar 16: A rejuvenated and confident India start favourites as they take on Malaysia in their 'grudge' opener at the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

For India, who are taking part in the Hockey competition of the Games only for the second time, the match against Malaysia evoke painful memories.

Malaysia had beaten India, who finished fourth, in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games in which hockey was introduced for the first time.

India did not make it to the 2002 edition of the games.

Malaysia had finished runners up to Australia in that edition of the Games. India needs a winning start in the competition to assure themselves a berth in the semifinals, as their next opponents are Pakistan and the fourth team in their group -- South Africa -- is also a strong contender for the last four stages the as the fifth team. Other teams in the group are Trinidad and Tabago Group A consists of Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and Scotland.

A win will give India a psychological advantage ahead of the match against arch rivals Pakistan next.

Indians, meanwhile, have reconciled to the fact that they will be going into the tournament without their star defender Harpal Singh, who is down with chicken pox but his replacement William Xalco is also a very competent defender.

''It is a big setback,'' conceded chief coach Rajinder Singh Jr ''Harpal has been playing well, he was in good nick and we felt reassured with his presence in the defence.'' But then these things do happen in competitions of such level and ''We have to take them in our strides,'' Rajinder Jr told UNI and added ''We have put all these worries behind us.'' ''We have a good mid field, with Ignace Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey and Vikram Pillay in good form and we may even play Viren Rasquinha as right half. I was planning to put Harpal as a substitute right half but in his absence, Viren will have to do the job.

The coach was confident of topping the pool, ''I think we have enough firepower to finish the league assignment on a happy note.'' Rajinder was of the view at this level of competition a team converting half chances has advantage over the rival who may be playing good hockey sans scoring. What matters at the end is goals.

''The forwards are in good shape. If they click well, we can outpace any opposition,'' he said.

Rajinder refused to underestimate Malaysia saying, ''It will be foolhardy on my part to underestimate my rivals, Malaysians are tough customers, they have beaten us and we will have to give our best to start the campaign on a winning note.''

UNI