New Delhi: As there is no pressure of Olympic qualification on the players, the Indian hockey team will focus on the mental aspect of the game at the World League Semi-Final Round to prepare for the bigger challenges in the future.
The team looked in a relaxed mood on the eve of the departure for Belgium and despite the absence of key players — V Raghunath, S V Sunil, Kothajit Singh—head coach Paul van Ass and captain Sardar Singh are not overtly worried.
While Sunil, Gurbaz and Kothajit were ruled out recently, the coach today informed that Raghunath has also been ruled out after injuring his hamstring during parctice.
Rupinderpal Singh will take place of Raghunath while Devender Walmiki and Satbeer are the other replacements in the team. Rupinder though will not play in his usual position from the centre but will be tried from the lines on both the sides. The good news is that Gurbaz has started practising and will not miss the tournament.
Van Ass is applying the Leary Rose’s model, which focuses on interpersonal relationship between people, to help the players understand each other better.
“Finishing is like defence. We have to make sure that we have a fair chance and that’s a team effort. You can train for that but biggest part is execution. That’s a mental aspect. Of course we are working on that. you have to grab tiny chances that can make a big difference,” Van Ass said ahead of a practice session at Major Dhyan Chand National stadium.
The coach said that the “real test” for the side would be the final round to be held in India.
Van Ass said injuries are part and parcel of the game.
“It will always happen. It happens when you push the level and intensity up while training. When you raise level it is severe on the body. But I take it as it is, key players are missing but it’s also an opportunity for others. If one is missing, the other can step up,” he said.