FIH Series Finals | I don’t think motivation will be a problem in the semi-finals: Graham Reid
Indian hockey coach Graham Reid has asserted that according to him, motivation will not be an issue at all for the Indian team ahead of their semi-final encounter in the ongoing FIH Series Finals. With three wins from three games, India earned a direct entry into the semi-finals of the tournament.
The hosts have won all the three games against Russia, Poland and Uzbekistan in Group A and made it to the semi-finals and will not have to play the cross-over games as per the format of the tournament here. India will, now, get a break of three days to get ready for their semi-final clash. The opponents for the Indians will be decided tomorrow when both the cross-over games will be played.
According to Indian chief coach Graham Reid, this is good for the Indian team to get ready for the big game. He also said that there will be no shortage of motivation for Manpreet Singh and co. for the top four clash. A win in the semi-final will ensure India getting a ticket for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers as well.
“It is actually good that we get time to work on stuff in next day. I don’t think motivation will be a problem in the semi-finals. The boys will be up for it and I can guarantee you that. From the point of view on the three-day break, it is what it is and we have to use it in the best way. Stay sharp and train well,” Reid said after winning the game against Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile, when Reid was asked about his idea of shuffling the goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak after every quarter, he replied that he wants both Sreejesh and Pathak keep putting pressure each other constantly. This is the trend that is seen off late with the Indian goal-keepers with both of them getting an equal amount of game time guarding the Indian post.
“As far as the goalkeepers are concerned, we want our goalkeepers to be putting pressure on each other and making each other better. We have competition in the squad and what my experience has shown that if we have that with the goalkeepers then it also helps the level with which they are playing with,” the coach explained.
“I like to change in the quarters because it is important to be switched on and they have to play. Because it may be that someone is injured and he has to come out and play or it may be they have to face shootout at the end of the game. If they are playing that becomes somewhat easier.”
In the first three matches of the tournament, India was seen creating early inroads into the opponents’ D and even getting penalty corners. However, there have been lesser number of goals from the Indian strikers during these matches in the first five minutes or so.
“One of the things that is often talked about is that we will get two or three good opportunities in the first five minutes of the game barely depending on the which team we play. And, the idea is to try and make sure that we deliver there. Something, which we try to do is start quickly and crack an opportunity to create scoreboard pressure,” said Reid.
When asked about the effectiveness of the use of rolling substitutions, the coach replied, “We were doing equal rotations like we normally do. There was no favouritism for a particular player and the idea is to get everyone better. It’s the team first.”
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