The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : `Corner conversion important'

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Monday, Jun 06, 2005

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Sport - Hockey

`Corner conversion important'

Sports Reporter

Prabodh Tirkey has been injured, will be out of action for one year We just want to take it match by match. The tag of defending champs may help us

HYDERABAD: Adrian d'Souza, captain of the Indian junior World Cup hockey squad, has said that it is imperative for the team to force and convert as many penalty-corners as possible within the first 15 minutes of play during the team's campaign in the Rotterdam World Cup commencing from June 29.

Sharing his thoughts after a 40-day, rigorous training camp at the Gachibowli Complex, the 21-year-old goalkeeper said that the key to India's success lay in the form of drag-flicker Sandeep Singh.

"We will also go for some variations since Navpreet Singh has been groomed. But, Sandeep holds the key because of his experience and class. Another plus point is Xalxo's hitting ability," he said. Adrian, who was named last week as the best junior player from Asia, is confident of putting up a good show in the World Cup.

"We just want to take it match by match. The tag of defending champs may help us as the other teams may be wary of us," he added.

Experienced

The Indian team will rely on an experienced forwardline that includes Adam Sinclair and Tushar Khandekar. "No doubt we will miss Prabodh Tirkey but still we should be hard to beat," said Adrian.

He is also aware that the Indian team has a tough route in the World Cup after starting off against Poland. "No team can be dismissed lightly. Essentially, we should not bother about the reputation of a team. We have to focus on our strengths and minimise errors. The success of the team depends on how well it responds to the demands," he said.

Adrian believes that the fate of a match is decided in the first and last 15 minutes.

"For the Indians, the last phase is crucial. Both physically and mentally, we get tired. Coaches Harinder Singh and Clarence Lobo emphasised on the significance of defending the fort in this crucial phase.

"With trainer Saju Joseph taking us through a grind which made us much fitter than we were at the beginning, things look positive," he said.

Meanwhile, Prabodh Tirkey, who was injured on the first day of the preparatory camp, will be out of action for one year.

According to the team management, 21-year-old Prabodh, who was in the victorious Indian team in the last edition could have been the automatic choice as captain.

But he is still struggling to recover after he aggravated an old injury in the lower back. Though, initially it was thought Prabodh would recover in time, it is now clear from the medical reports that he has to undergo surgery on the lower back and then plan for a slow recovery.

"He will be out of action for one year," team officials said.

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