India to stay in demolition mode against Italy

New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team began its quest for an Olympic berth in demolition mode against Singapore and are determined to show no mercy to Italy, who they face next on day two of the qualifiers here at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.

India thrashed Singapore 15-1 in a relentless display of hockey on day one to open their campaign on an intimidating note and will look to press on, as suggested by coach Michael Nobbs. "We're not going to change our tempo or give anybody respite," said Nobbs in the post-match press conference.

India were hardly tested by the Singaporeans, whom the FIH drafted into the tournament after withdrawal of the US team. The 41st-ranked team was no match for the host, but still India missed a number of opportunities, converting only 15 goals from 56 times they entered the rival circle. And expectedly, the coach wasn't happy.

"We could have got 25-26 goals. We went in the [Singapore] circle 56 times and we expect more return than 15 goals with that," Nobbs said, a view supported by Indian captain and goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.

"Tomorrow [Sunday] is a different match. We missed quite a few chances and [have to improve] on the short corners," Chetri said sitting beside Nobbs in the post-match press conference on Saturday. In addition to improving the conversion rate, an attacking display by the Italian forwards will do no harm to Indian defenders who remained untested against Singapore.

Italy were dealt in the same manner as Singapore in their first match on Saturday. Canada handed their Italian counterparts a 9-0 embarrassment to confirm their tag of being the tournament's 'dark horse'. If anything, they have a tougher job on Sunday against the Indian giants who vow not to relent moving deeper into the league stage.

In contrast to Indian men, the women began on a sorry note on Saturday, drawing their game against Ukraine 1-1. However, the hosts were unlucky to have been disallowed a goal and penalty corner after the technical bench overruled the umpire's call both the times. And the Indian women coach, C Kumar, was visibly annoyed after the match.

"That was also a mistake on part of the umpire according to me, because the ball had already crossed the line and hit the inside post," Kumar said about the disallowed goal that cost India a win.

The women team will face Canada in their next match on Sunday.