India looking optimistic to finish first round of the Champions Challenge I at the top position
Following an impressive victory over South Africa in the second match of the FIH Champions Challenge I, the men’s hockey team of India is looking quite optimistic to conclude the preliminary stage of the tournament holding the top position.
India will take on Poland in the last group match. The latter is not expected to be much of a hurdle in India’s way to earn the top place.
The first game between India and Belgium concluded in a three-all draw while India bounced back, thrashing South Africa in the second encounter by 7-4.
Indian Coach, Michael Nobbs, was quite flattered by the performance, saying that it was the best show in the event thus far.
He underscored, “We're doing well with our attacking formations, but still need to work on our defence”.
He went on to say that the fresh lot in the team displayed wonderful performances on all ends.
He observed, “You saw some classic goals scored by the Indian team yesterday, but we're still a long way from where we want to be. The youngsters coming into the team have done a fine job, but we still need to work hard on our fitness”.
Currently both, India and Belgium, are holding four points each, before contesting the final game of the preliminary round. However, Belgium is presently sitting at the top position with a better goal-conversion rate as compared to India.
Belgium will play against South Africa, which is not an easy target at all. India has comparatively more chances to earn the top position if it wins the game with a heavy margin.
The top place at the group stage will allow India to take on Pool-B’s bottom-lined team in the quarter-final of the Champions Challenge I.
All the squads contesting the tournament will move into the quarter-final round according to the new format of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). However, the top teams in the group stage will face bottom squads in the knockout round.
This game will also help the Indian team in evaluating its worth ahead of the Olympic Qualifiers, set to be played in 2012, in New Delhi, India.
The Indian team will have to win all the games in the tournament if it wants to proceed to the Olympic Qualifying tournament with confidence.
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