India may have gained the entry into the Hero Hockey World league (HWl) Final as the hosts and going by the performances of eight teams, the Terry Walsh’ boys are the weakest lot. But Australia Assistant coach Graham Reid feels that the Indian team could be the most unpredictable side and can’ tbe taken lightly.
“We feel that Germany, Belgium and Netherlands are the teams to look out for in the league, but India is the most unpredictable team. The Indian boys can upset any strong team on any given day hence, should be extra careful while playing them,” said Reid, who is deputy to Australia top boss and legendary coach Ric Charlesworth, said after the team’s practice session on Monday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
The World Cup holders have come for the HWl Final which starts from this Friday, with a relatively inexperienced squad.
Among those not selected are five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer, 2011 World Young Player of the Year Matthew Swann, Olympic gold medallist Rob Hammond and double Olympic bronze medallist Fergus Kavanagh.
The Kookaburras (as they’re known as) are grouped with HWl semifinal champion Belgium, Olympic silver medallists the Netherlands and Argentina. Despite having a young squad, skipper Mark Knowles said that his team is confident of playing good and tough hockey, the way they are known for.
“The entire team is excited and looking forward to play here in India. While, because of injury we had to leave behind a few players but the entire team is very confident to face any kind of challenge that the league will throw on us. Our group is very tough with Belgium and Netherlands in it, but we are confident of playing good and tough hockey,” said Knowles, who is part of three previous Olympics’ squads.
32-year old mid-fielder liam de Young with 290 caps and last three Olympics, is the most experienced player.
20-year old Daniel Beale is the junior-most and for him this tour is a return to the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Delhi, where recently captained the Australian Under 21 men, at the Junior World Cup.