Defensive flaws will be taken care off: Bhaskaran

Kuala Lumpur, June 15 (UNI) Despite winning their first practice game against New Zealand 3-2, India never looked convincing but coach V Bhaskaran is sure that the flaws would be ''taken care off'' once the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament gets underway on June 18.

''All the player needed to have a look in,'' Bhaskaran told UNI here.

The stutters, mispasses and slower fall back in defence were not of much concern for the coach, who felt his players did quite okay.

''I wanted that the team gets a hard session and then the winning margin is good for the boys to get into the right frame of mind before the tourney begins,'' said the Indian coach.

When asked whether this was the line-up that would be going to Monchengladbach, he was unsure.

''If there were players in India. At the most we probably have three-four players in India who still can make it to the senior side. But at the moment, I can't say anything except after the tournament,'' Bhaskaran said.

The Indian coach felt the body language of his players was an indication that they would be performing well in the tournament.

''After the training camp at Bangalore and then at Chennai, I could see that they were confident. Slowly, we have brought back the belief that they can win.

''When I said, we can make it to the podium, I knew what I was talking about. But in the end, it's a match and a slip-up can happen. I am not saying this is a world champion side. But, here, at the Azlan Shah, the boys can perform and put the training aspects in play and go for wins,'' he added.

Tushar Khandekar, Shivender Singh and Hari Prasad had a few impressive runs. Bimal Lakra impressed while Viren Rasquinha, head shaved off, poured out his energy on the second pitch at the Bukit Jalil but the worry in the midfield was still the lack of pace.

There were empty spaces waiting to be exploited in the Kiwi territory but the Indian midfield hung on too long. Rajpal Singh was easily tackled and thrice in the second half he had the ball heading into the Kiwi striking circle but refused to release it to Tushar, Arjun or Hari Prasad.

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