The Hindu : Sport : The Dutch have the most balanced side

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Thursday, Nov 29, 2007
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The Dutch have the most balanced side

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: Competitive hockey is set to gain a sharper edge as Kuala Lumpur prepares to host the Champions Trophy from Thursday. Before a qualitative assessment of the 29th edition, the circumstances leading to Bukit Jalil emerging as the venue should be recounted.

Scheduled at Lahore from December 1 to 9, the showcase event had to endure an unprecedented phase of uncertainty. The first signs came from Australia’s apprehension over the security environment at Lahore. Predictably, the host protested, but in vain, even as more countries joined in with the chorus. A series of blasts only worsened the situation. Eventually, the FIH was persuaded to look for an alternative. Both India and Malaysia offered to organise the event but the Executive Board opted for the latter.

The decision to shift venues led to increasing the number of participants. The FIH not only wanted to accommodate Pakistan — the donor of the trophy and one among the top six, but also Great Britain and host, Malaysia. So, the Champions Trophy, this time, has become an eight-nation competition, stretching for a period of 11 days. This is only the second time that there are eight countries in the fray, the last time being in 1987 at Amstelveen.

It is acknowledged by all coaches that the tussle at Kuala Lumpur will be a tough test on the endurance of the participants. Each has a set of seven matches besides the play-offs on the last day. Even granting the fact the FIH has permitted 20 players to each team 18 of who can be fielded instead of the 16, the stress on the players, especially those who are considered indispensable, is going to be tremendous.

Favourite

Winner of the last edition at Terrassa, the Netherlands will be looking forward to take the trophy for the ninth time. Interestingly, the Netherlands, Germany and Australia have a count of eight each. Germany has figured in 25 editions, the Netherlands in 26 and the Aussies in 27. The Aussies have a tally of 21 medals — eight gold, nine silver and four bronzes.

Balanced as ever, the Dutch have the best amalgam of expertise and experience. It is not easy to find a replacement for Teun de Nooijer and Jerome Delmee, even in the vast pool of players in the country. At the helm is a seasoned and crafty coach, Roelant Oltmans.

The Aussies, on the contrary, are oscillating between finding the zone and not, giving Barry Dancer reasons for worry. The recent performances in the Test series against the Kiwis have not satisfied the coach. Australia finished fourth in the last edition at Terrassa, which saw the Netherlands, Germany and Spain finish in that order.

Germany has the unenviable task of qualifying for the Olympics after a pathetic show in the European Championship at Manchester. The World champion has to go through a phase of reconstruction. Spain has just a solitary trophy triumph, in 2004, from its 17 appearances. A bronze before the home crowd at Terrassa last year was no consolation to the admirable coach Maurits Hendriks.

Great Britain takes Argentina’s slot in the tournament after England secured the fifth place at the Monchengladbach World Cup last year.

Strife-ridden

From Asia are former champion Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia. Following the strife in the administration in Pakistan, Islahuddin, the chief coach, walked out of the camp, forcing the PHF to find a replacement in Zakauddin. It is difficult to envisage anything outstanding from a combination under its new captain, Salman Akbar.

South Korea has one silver medal (1999, Brisbane) and a bronze (2000, Amstelveen) from six appearances in the event.

For Malaysia, this edition is a windfall. Chief coach Sarjit Singh could not have visualised a better platform to test his wards. Malaysia has covered a lot of ground figuring in the final in the Sultan Azlan Trophy and coming out with splendid performances in the Asia Cup. Veterans Chua Boon Hoot and Jiwa Mohan continue to inspire the clutch of youngsters.

Sarjit has set a target of overcoming South Korea, Pakistan and Great Britain. For the Malaysians, the event is the best test before the Olympic qualifier.

Thursday’s matches: Great Britain vs the Netherlands; Germany vs Pakistan; Korea vs Spain; Malaysia v Australia.

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