Tirkey, Bhaskaran hoping for podium finish in Azlan tourney

Chennai, June 10 (UNI) Captain Dilip Tirkey and chief coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran today admitted that the Indian hockey's main drawback has been poor finishing and the team's chances of redeeming its performance would depend on this factor in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament to be played at Kuala Lumpur from June 18.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the 18 member team's departure to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow and marking the conclusion of the final coaching camp at the astro turf stadium here today, Bhaskaran, said the team was, however, confident of finishing on the podium.

''We have not been able to convert the chances from the top of the 'D' as noticed in our international competitions in the last two years. We have to be like the Australian or Netherlands forwards who convert into goals even from difficult angles,'' Bhaskaran said.

Tirkey, who asserted that despite being out of the team for two important assignments like the Champions trophy and the Commonwealth Games he was match fit, said the team has to play ''attacking hockey.'' Tirkey said his confidence stemmed from the fact that he had been playing well in the Dutch league. Asserting that the mood in the team was good as well as the team spirit, Indian Airlines full back said the team had good balance. ''Only we have to play attacking game,'' he said, speaking mostly in Hindi.

Bhaskaran said the strong point of the squad was that after a long time India was going into a tournament with ''full team.'' ''For two years , we had been missing one key player or the other like Dilip for Champions trophy,'' he pointed out.

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