A job well done by the selectors

By S. Thyagarajan

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. It is not easy to pick holes in the selection of the Indian junior hockey team (men) for the World Cup at Hobart next month. The approach to naming the squad was professional and reflected the concern to formulate a top-class combination for the future. The men, who chose the composition for an event more significant than even the senior World Cup at Kuala Lumpur, have indeed done a commendable job. It must also be stated that the team is an `investment' for the next Olympiad at Athens.

What's striking about the combination, which will take the field after finishing runner-up in the previous edition at Milton Keynes four years ago, is the experience acquired by the players in international competitions. No other country has consciously exposed its juniors in a wide range of tourneys for seniors as India has. If that endeavour is not going to pay off at Hobart next month, nothing will.

That as many as 10 juniors have donned the National colours at the senior level proves this. And as many as six had taken part in the World Cup qualifier at Edinburgh, and skipper Gagan Ajit Singh was also part of the team though recurring back trouble kept him out for a major part. The experience gained in the recent Azlan Shah tournament, especially for players like Jugraj Singh whose drag-flicks in penalty corners make him a threat against any opposition, is definitely a bonus.

Another campaign towards discovering the identity begins as the junior team embarks on a voyage filled with hope and optimism. It is bound to be an intense struggle, made difficult by the format consisting of 16 teams in four pools. The complexities involved in crossing the hurdles must now be apparent in the wake of the seniors' performance during the qualifiers at Edinburgh. The team has to finish among the top two in both stages for a place in the semifinals. A total of eight matches must be played, regardless of the ultimate ratings.

Both goalkeepers, Devesh Chauhan and Bharat Chetri, had the credentials to merit consideration even for the senior squad. Chauhan was the deputy to Jude Menezes at the Edinburgh qualifier while Chetri faced the might of Pakistan, Australia and Germany in the Azlan Shah tournament.

But, the strength of the deep defence is not as good. If Kanwalpreet Singh takes the burden, along with Jugraj Singh, then a modicum of consistency can be expected.

Lakra, the key

The strongest area seems to be the midfield where Bimal Lakra, adjudged the best in that domain in the recent MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup tournament, will be the fulcrum. Remarkably endowed, this indefatigable pivot should play a key role in keeping the frontline in splendid trim. Bipin Fernandez is the next best bet, having acquired adequate international experience both at the junior and senior levels. The Tirkeys, Prabodh and Ignacious, have to prove their mettle and live up to expectations after displaying their talent in domestic competitions.

The frontline, too, presents a rosy picture of strength and style. When he's fully fit, Gagan Ajit Singh can be irresistible in this grade of hockey. However, it is Deepak Thakur who has been the cynosure of all eyes in competitions, here and abroad. The manner in which he led the IHF Juniors in the recent MCC- Murugappa tournament prompted many to believe that the leadership will go to him and not Gagan.

True, there is little to choose between Gagan and Deepak, but what weighed in favour of the former is unfathomable. A combination of Deepak, Gagan, Prabhjoth and Arjun Halappa, with Tejbir serving from the flanks, can work wonders if over- enthusiasm doesn't degenerate into crass individualism. Both Deepak and Gagan have a tendency to go for the spectacular when a simple shot is good enough to fetch a goal.

Picking up the link somewhere in the middle of the nineties, after having been pushed to the sidelines in the earlier qualifiers, India surged back into the World Cup in 1997 at Milton Keynes where it ended as the runner-up in a closely- fought final against Australia. India proved its stature again, taking the second spot in the last Asia Cup - a qualifier for the junior World Cup - at Kuala Lumpur after scoring as many as 60 goals. That it lost to South Korea in the final was regrettable, particularly after raising visions of a runaway win.

Illogical decision

It is in this context that the change of coach should be examined. Until recently, including the MCC- Murugappa Gold Cup, C.R. Kumar worked as the chief coach and one expected him to continue since it's a logical thing to do. It's difficult to figure out why Kumar was shifted to the senior squad, where his contribution is nothing substantial, compared to the inputs for the juniors. A change, if need be, should have come after the World Cup. This is, however, not to question the credentials of Rajinder Singh, who has been associated with the junior squads recently with telling results.

The shuffling does not square up with the pragmatism that governs the federation's thinking when it comes to naming coaches. As one associated with the juniors for nearly three years, Kumar must have been the obvious choice and not Rajinder Singh. It is difficult to say whether there will be a conflict in the coaching methods of Kumar and Rajinder, but if it does and comes in the way of the team not performing well at Hobart, then the IHF may have a lot to explain. A convincing performance by this proficient bunch will, however, ensure no debate on the coaches after the event.

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