Need to grab chances: Sardar

Team improving, says skipper

With nine months to go for the Olympic Games in Rio, the Indian national hockey team skipper Sardar Singh feels his team should cash in on the opportunities that come their way, if they are to pose a serious challenge against tough opponents in the quadrennial event.

“We play 20-25 games before the Olympics. And every series must be considered important. We will be up against some strong opponents and there is no room for complacency,” said Sardar on the sidelines of the national camp here at the Sports Authority of India, Southern Centre.

Sardar’s men are set to play the dominant Australians in a three-match Test series in Raipur starting from November 19, before they kickstart their campaign in the high-profile World League Finals, from November 27. With some gruelling days ahead of them, Sardar believes his side is working hard and learning a lot in the training sessions.

“The boys are improving in a steady manner in the training sessions. It is important that each player is aware of his responsibilities in the team. We are working on how to keep the attack going at the opposition if we are one man down or how to overwhelm the opponents when they are one man less. Every day we discuss a lot in the team meeting and all the players are responding well to the coach.”

Apart from the physical training, Sardar said efforts were being made to keep the players mentally strong. “It is important to keep ourselves motivated always and I have spoken to coach (Roelant) Oltmans about having a psychologist with the side. We had a couple of meetings with the management and it is understood that the team might be provided with a psychologist from SAI. After a few trial sessions, if we are satisfied, then we will continue to have the psychologist in the team,” Sardar said.

Sardar exuded confidence on India’s chances at the World League. “It is a big challenge for us and we are ready for it,” he said.

The Indian defence has often been criticised for letting in soft goals in the dying moments but Sardar remained positive about his defenders. “According to me, the defence in a team starts from the forward. He is the first line of defence. If all the forwards and midfielders communicate well, then our defence will shape up nicely. We are working on this aspect.”