India to face lower-ranked hockey teams in the Olympic Qualifiers
The Indian hockey fans as well as the players got something to cheer about as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) handed it a favourable draw for the Olympic qualifiers.
In the first qualifying tournament, India will feature with teams from France, Egypt, United States, Canada and Poland.
The biggest hurdle for the Indian men’s hockey team in its way to the 2012 London Olympics will be Canada, the 11th placed team according to the world rankings.
In the second qualifying tournament, South Korea will play against Ireland, Malaysia, Chile, Ukraine and Russia. Spain has been clubbed with Japan, Austria, China, Cuba and the Czech Republic in the third qualifiers.
It is vital to mention here that India, having eight gold medals in the Olympics, did not earn a place in the Beijing Games, back in 2008.
Regardless of the easy grouping, former Indian hockey players warned the national squad not to take any team for granted in the qualifiers. They were of the view that it will be a catastrophic situation if the Indian team fails to secure a berth in the Olympics.
Former national trainer, Harendra Singh, commented over the situation, saying that the home-soil will be a plus-point for the Indian team.
He underlined, “We should easily qualify for the Olympics from this pool. It's a very easy pool. "The crowd support will be behind us. The conditions will also be in our favour”.
He wished that the Indian team face France or Canada in the finals of the qualifying event.
Ajitpal Singh, former Indian hockey skipper, came out with hard words. He stated that it will be a big shame for the national squad if it does not win a ticket to the London Games.
He observed, “According to my view, in this pool no other team can threaten India. But complacency is something which India needs to be careful about. They should be prepared to face any consequence”.
Ajitpal Singh led the squad that clinched the maiden World Cup title for India, back in 1975, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pargat Singh, another former captain and legendary hockey player of his era, also spoke with the media about the grouping released by the world’s hockey governing body.
He warned the national line-up not to take any teams easy and be ready for any possibility. The Indians have been placed in a very easy group comparatively, and if still they fail to succeed, it will be the worst thing in the history of the country’s hockey,
he added.
The Indian team will get a spot in the 2012 London Games if it clinches the Olympic Qualifiers.
It is pertinent to mention here that the teams from Germany, Pakistan, New Zealand, Argentina, Great Britain, Belgium, Australia and the Netherlands have already secured their berths, mainly through continental quotas.
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