India keen to sign off with podium finish in Azlan Shah

Kuala Lumpur, Jun 24: The defeats at the Athens Olympics and at the Commonwealth Games still fresh in memory, India will be eyeing a revenge against New Zealand when they take on the Kiwis in the bronze medal play-off of the 15th Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here tomorrow.

The Indians played below par against the Dutch in the semifinals, destroying their hopes of a fourth title win but the players would be hoping to go out with a medal and gift coach V Bhaskaran a podium finish that he hoped for before the team left India.

The Indians were hugely disappointed after the 0-1 defeat to the Dutch which coach Bhaskaran said was an ''indisciplined'' performance.

''I think we could have won the semifinal. But the plans that were said before the match were not adhered too and the players lost their way,'' said Bhaskaran.

After playing aggressive hockey against Malaysia and Korea, the Indians surprised everyone with an ultra-defensive play in the midfield. With players like Vinay, Vikram Pillay, Bimal Lakra and Viren Rasquinha, India had the ammunition but the team failed to fire when it mattered most.

Worse, as the coach says, ''They hung onto the ball for long.'' But Bhaskaran is confident that the team will not repeat the mistakes and go all out for a podium finish tomorrow.

''I think we will rectify the mistakes,'' he said.

''We have a full video session where the team will watch the New Zealand team play and our own strategy will be worked out,'' he informed.

Bhaskaran also said that he was not dwelling on the fact that the Kiwis were thrashed 7-1 by Australia in the semi-finals.

''That result will not be taken into account when both the teams square off,'' said Bhaskaran.

''It's a result that the Kiwis will forget and let's not forget that the Kiwis are a very professional team and they will not be coming into the third place play-offs with the semifinal result in mind.'' The Indian coach didn't spell out the kind of tactics that India could employ. When asked whether a lack of aggression cost his side the game against Holland, Bhaskaran said, ''We missed a few chances in the second half and if those had been converted, we would have had a different story. We might have made errors but the question now is whether we rectify that or not.'' India have played New Zealand twice in practice matches before the tournament and won 3-2 on both the occasions. But Bhaskaran feels that in a tournament match, practice results have little or no relevance.

''They might get lucky with a few penalty corners and we might miss ours. But we know what we have to do and I am confident of the boys' performance.'' Before coming for the tournament, Bhaskaran had said that India will try and finish on the podium and the Indian coach is confident about that.

''The boys have to feel the podium,'' he says.

''Only then do get the urge to win and play with a passion.

Winning is a habit and we must get it back. It's not always the top finish but there are three medals in every tournament. We must always strive for the top three.'' The Indian team management's only worry is a groin strain to Ignace Tirkey, a key player in the left-half position.

''He is having some problems but the doctors are having a look.

Hopefully, we can use his services in the bronze medal match.'' Meanwhile, Kiwi coach Kevin Towns must be praying for overnight inspiration that could see his team forget the 1-7 thrashing from Australia and concentrate on the bronze medal play-off tomorrow.

New Zealand, on the other hand, is doing some training and will be getting into match mode after the thrashing from Australia. Peter Miskimmin, their manager, did sound confident but said that India is a strong team and in this tournament they have shown that they are no pushovers.

''I think it will be a keenly fought game and we hope that the team can raise their confidence and be ready for the game against India.'' Meanwhile, defending champion Australia is training today at the Bukit Jalil stadium.

''Normally we would have given the team some rest but after the New Zealand game we decided to try out some set pieces,'' coach Barry Dancer said.

Speaking on the final, Barry said that the Aussies will try and retain the title but they know that the Dutch are no pushovers.

''They are among the top teams in the world and we know that that they have a lot of skill,'' said Barry.

''But we are slowly coming into form and hopefully, we could work it out and retain the Azlan Shah title.'' On the other hand, Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans will be in his second Azlan Shah final as a coach.

In 2003, he was the Pakistan coach when they reached the final.

''It's good to be in two Azlan Shah finals as a coach and with different teams but we know as a team how tough the Aussies are.

They are the best team in the world but there are moments when they best team also lose momentum. Our players will be looking out for the Aussie weaknesses,'' he said.

UNI