Already assured of a place in the Rio Olympics, Asian Games champions India will start their preparations for the mega-event with the 24th Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament where they face Korea in their opening match here on Sunday. Given that India has already qualified for the Olympics, it was expected that the Asian Games gold-medallists will use the Azlan Shah Cup as a testing ground for youngsters. But the national committee and team management have made their intentions clear by handpicking the strongest possible side under Sardar Singh’s leadership.
India have gone for a strong 18-member squad with just three changes from last December’s Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar. Midfielder Danish Mujtaba, striker lalit Upadhyay and defender Gurjinder Singh are the three players to miss out and in their place, midfielder Chinglensana Singh and forwards Satbir Singh and Mandeep Singh have been drafted into the side.
Also post the Terry Walsh era, the Indian hockey team is presently witnessing a transition phase. It might be an invitational tournament, but the six-nation Azlan Shah Cup holds great significance for the Indian team, especially with a new coach in Dutchman Paul van Ass at the helm. "Every chance that you get to play against international opponents, you should embrace it and take seriously," Van Ass said on the eve of his side’s tournament opener.
Barely three weeks into the job, Van Ass has already made clear his expectations from the tournament and feels the Azlan Shah Cup will provide him a competitive platform to get a fair idea about his wards. "The good part is we’ve already qualified for the Olympics. From that account, there is no pressure, but it is a very important tournament for us keeping in mind the preparation for the Olympics, next year.
"This tournament is just the beginning of our preparation for the 2016 Olympics. I just want to get a feel of my team and they want to feel what I can do and as to what changes I can bring about. But we will take every match very seriously, otherwise the information which you procure out of them doesn’t turn out to be realistic," the Dutchman said. But it would be easier said than done for the Sardar Singh-led side as this year’s Azlan Shah Cup boasts of a strong field in world champions and title holders Australia, mighty New Zealand, the ever-improving hosts Malaysia, Canada besides India and Korea.
Stating that world champions and title holders Australia are the team to beat, Van Ass warned his opponents not to underestimate India. "Australia obviously, may be New Zealand (are favourites) but don’t forget us," the India coach said. However, the first challenge that awaits Van Ass’ boys are the dangerous Koreans, who would be looking to avenge their 0-1 loss in the semifinal of last year’s Asian Games in front of their home crowd in Incheon.
Korea would be a tough nut to crack for the Indians and it remains to be seen how Sardar and Co manage to match the speed and counter-attacks of the East Asians. The Azlan Shah Cup is also India’s first international assignment after nearly three months.