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India hope for Olympic semis
NEW DELHI. June 3: India arc lx>und to qualify for the last four in men's field hockey In the
Harel-Ion.i Olympics, chief coach Balklshen Singh said here today, reports AFT’.
The cx-Olymptan told an airport news conference that he w.is sure of the team's potential after its display during
the prc-Olymplc five-nation European tour beginning May 8 where 1n won 12 out of 15 matches.
Two matches were drawn and India suffered a split-goal defeat to Germany. The Indian wins Included two against the 1988 Seoul Olympics champion Britain.
"I expected a good show form the boys. But they played much beyond my expectations.” Balklshen Singh said, after the team's return early today.
He added that India were sure io make the Barcelona hockey semi-finals.
India's hockey fortunes have been on the wane tn recent years, and its last of eight Olympic gold medals was won in Moscow in 1980. It finished sixth In the 1988 Olympics and had lo fight it out last year lo qualify for Bcrcelona.
Balklshen Singh said the players were coordinating well and able to play equally well In different positions and the forward line was moving with speed and cohesion not seen before.
"Now 1 have 16 lop players", said the beaming Sikh coach, who Is widely credited with blending European tactics with traditional Asian hockey skills as part of his concept which he calls "total hockey."
Balklshen Singh reserved special praise for captain Par-gat Singh, a 27-ycar -old veteran full back who spearheaded India's grand recovery to defeat Germany 3-2 at
Neuss on Muy 27
The opinion among European coaches and players Is that India will figure In the Iasi four In Barcelona." I*argat Singh said, echoing hts coach.
Bnlktahcn Singh, however, said India needed lo Improve their penally corner conversions and added there were other grey areas which needed rectification.
He also allayed apprehen sfons that the team was peaking too early.
"Not al all," he said. They will peak at the right time and right place."
The European tour took the Indians to Belgium Britain, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.