In a hard-hitting interview with IBNLive, Indian men's hockey team's former chief coach Michael Nobbs has said that India needs to come out its "live-in-the-past" attitude and start development programmes if they want to match the top teams in the world.
India, led by Sardar Singh, has already touched base at The Hague, Netherlands, to participate in the FIH World Cup under chief coach Terry Walsh who was replaced after Nobbs left his job citing medical reasons. And the former coach said Walsh is lucky to choose the squad from a wider pool of players.
However, he concurred with his fellow Aussie that a top-seven finish is a fairly reasonable target the federation has set for itself.
It's been some time you left the Indian team's coaching job. Do you still regularly keep a tab on how Indian hockey is shaping up under Terry Walsh?
Yes, I have been interested as I still wish for India to do well. India is trying so hard to reclaim its former glory and I, for one, certainly hope they do.
Have you spotted any difference (good or bad) in the team or development of Indian hockey?
Well, it's been hard to really gauge any improvement as World League Round 4 produced one win against Germany which fielded a second-rate team and India lost all the other games. Then there was a tour of Europe where India won only one game against a second division club and lost twice to a Netherlands development team. The team has then spent considerable time in camps, so it's a hard call to say if they have improved at all.
The squad for the World Cup has been chosen. There's no Danish Mujtaba and no Yuvraj Walmiki, but Gurbaj Singh is back after two years, plus rookie midfielder Jasjit Singh will be making his India debut. Your thoughts.
Terry has the luxury of picking all the players that were previously out due to World Series Hockey suspensions. So the team he has picked looks a strong side on paper. Danish has struggled to regain form after his injury and Yuvraj has played well in games that I have seen but perhaps the players added have produced some better results.
Do you think there was place for Sandeep Singh in the squad, especially after his good performance in the HIL?
Tough call as he has given great service to India over a long and distinguished career and did play very well in the HIL but that competition is a long way off the standard of a World Hockey Cup.
Roelant Oltmans, Walsh and Mr. Narinder Batra have repeatedly said we are targeting top 7 at the World Cup. Is stressing on that a realistic approach or does that lower the morale of a team whose ultimate goal is obviously to win the Cup even if that's a bridge too far?
I think they are reasonable targets as anything higher would be tough. The World League Round 4 had the top 8 teams in the world, and India achieved one win against depleted Germany. They are playing the same teams again, and looking at the teams in the competition, they are stronger again than that competition. So India will need some luck and drop in form from the other teams to do much better than 7th.
What in your opinion should be the pep talk before the team's departure?
Do you best, you are our finest players. You have a good coach. Listen and remember you are playing for India, not yourselves.
India play Belgium first, then Australia, England, Spain and Malaysia. Three wins possible at least?
Very difficult. I can't see India beating Australia or Belgium. England have had some good results lately and will also be very difficult. Spain is also tough but are an older team now and could be a possible win. India should dispose of Malaysia quite easily. A drop in form by either Spain or England will give us a chance. Both pools are very tough.
Do you see a miracle happening for India in The Hague?
Unfortunately for India the top teams in the world neither need a miracle or want one. They have very good domestic programmes that have produced good results over a very long period. India must start to develop these programmes and get rid of the rhetoric and live-in-the-past attitude. India will need a miracle to win the tournament and it's never going to happen. I will be out there cheering for India and really hope they do well, but I have had to live with everyone else with the disappointment and underachievement for far too long.
Comments
0 comment