Harpal Singh Bedi/Bhubaneswar
Chief coach Harendra Singh on Friday promised a far better showing by the Indian team against Canada in their last pool C league match of the 14th Hockey World cup in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
“ We will play some different kind of hockey tomorrow and try variations depending on the game and situation.” the coach told media persons “ “our aim is to win the match”
“I expect two things from my team. One to finish on top. The other, I want a clean sheet and no goals scored against India” he added.
Canada has been very tricky team for India, They had beaten the former World champions 3-2 in the hockey World league semi- final in London last year “ We are not taking them lightly. No team in the world cup be taken lightly” Coach said
.@HarendraSingh66, Chief Coach, India Men's Hockey Team, wants India to finish at the top of Pool C and does not want the Indian defenders to concede any goal in the coming match against Canada. #INDvCAN #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/hDNwLggq1K
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 7, 2018
“I have said it from the start, and everybody should now agree with me. I said about China, Japan and France (as teams of the future). For me, in modern sports, especially in a team sport, ranking and numbers are to write on paper”
Analytical coach Chris Ciriello said “We have three good flickers. Focus is also on push and trap, good quality, good speed. Our focus is on good execution and shots on goal. If you can’t get a push or trap right, it doens’t matter how good your flicker is.
Earlier Canadian coach Paul Bundy exuded confidence of his team coming good against India.”The last couple of results have been in favour of both the teams. Lost won, drew one and won one. I think tomorrow is going to be very competitive.
He however admitted that India are a good team. They have been playing well and they got a good draw against Belgium. I think they are fitter and faster than I can remember. “But Our team is fairly experienced and have played a lot together”
“It is going to be a difficult game, but we are going to be very competitive. We have to manage the tempo of the game. but not very past. When we get a chance we have to look at quality shots at the goal.”
However captain Scott Tupper claimed that there is on any pressure on Canada in this match.. India is expected to win. For a team like us, if we play the way we did in London last year we can create an upset. We are pretty confident side”