Adrian D'Souza predicts India to finish in the podium in Azlan Shah

New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) Young India goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza expects the current national team participating in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament to return with a medal and said it would be a big achievement for a ''new look team'' under a new coach.

India finished third in the last edition of the tourney and Adrian was part of the bronze-winning team though the national side later suffered a series of dismal performances in the World Cup in Germany and in Doha Asian Games.

''The team (at Malaysia) is a new team with some new faces and I expect them to at least reach the semi-finals and that would be an achievement in itself,'' he told UNI at the sidelines of a hockey clinic for school boys here today.

Adrian was named among the probables for the Azlan Shah, but did not turn up for the Bangalore camp and IHF gave nod to Bharat Chhetri and Baljit Singh as goalkeepers in the final squad.

The 23-year-old Mumbai lad, however, insisted that he was not dropped, saying he gave the camp a miss to take his final year graduation examination.

''I was not dropped from the national team for Azlan Shah. I chose not to attend the camp as I had my final year examination which was over on April 26 while the camp was over next day,'' he said.

Adrian is also optimistic that he would get back to the national team for the Champions Challenge Trophy to be held from June 23 to July 1 in Belgium and said he was keeping himself fit by training regularly and doing yoga.

''International hockey demands high level of fitness, especially for a goalkeeper. Besides, confidence, positive mental attitude and concentration are required in the modern day game.

So, I do lots of physical training and yoga,'' said Adrian who wants to emulate the exploits of current Dutch custodian Guus Vogels under the bar.

He said he was looking forward to playing under new coach Joaquim Carvalho.

''I have had the chance to interact with him when he was the assistant coach of Maratha Warriors in the PHL and in under 14 camps in Mumbai. I guess he gives importance in physical fitness and on attacking game.'' Adrian is also for Indian players getting more international exposure by taking part in tournaments in Europe to understand their style of playing.

He said he received offers from German and Spainish clubs before the Doha Asiad but declined them due to national duty, but said at certain point of time in in his career he would love to go to play in Europe.

UNI