Sreejesh asks forwards to pull up their socks at Asian Champions hockey

10/07/2016

PR Sreejesh has asked the forward line to pull up their socks at the fourth Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament to be held in Kuantan, Malaysia, from Oct 20. “Some work needs to be done to bolster our forward line. It has not been at our best,” the skipper said.

“However, this team is capable of scoring many goals as we had seen in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match against Pakistan where we thrashed our rival 5-1,” the goalkeeper added.

India will start as the favourite on the strength of their higher world ranking, but cannot take things lightly given that the field comprises teams from Korea, Japan, China, defending champions Pakistan and hosts Malaysia.

India were quarterfinalists at the Rio Olympics two months ago.

“We have an edge over the Asian countries because we are playing European and Indian style of hockey, but we need to perform consistently,” Sreejesh said.

“We are Asian champions, but we cannot take chances. Koreans are developing their team for the 2018 Asian Games. They have been playing good hockey which was evident playing against them Champions Trophy in London.”

The forward line will miss the services of Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh, both of whom have been rested. The two have been replaced by Talwinder Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhay.

Defender Birendra Lakra has staged a comeback while the experienced VR Raghunath will miss the tournament owing to an injury.

“Actually, Raghunath was having pain in the elbow for a long time. He is under treatment and that is why we changed him,” said Sreejesh who led India for the first time at Rio.

On Odisha defender Lakra’s return following a long injury layoff, Sreejesh said, “Lakra is one of my favorites, but unfortunately he had to miss out the Rio Olympics.

“I would love to have him right from the first match, but all depends on (chief coach Roelant) Oltmans – the decision lies with him.”