Opener may be easy but daunting task ahead for India

Doha, Dec 3 (UNI) Two-time champions India open their campaign taking on minnows Bangladesh but have a daunting task ahead in their bid to book a berth in the final of the Men's hockey competition of the 15th Asian Games which begins here tomorrow.

Having finished a lowly 11th in the 12-nation World Cup in Germany in September, the eight-time Olympic champions have substantially revamped their squad, axing six players from that side.

Kanwalpreet, Prabodh Tirkey, Nitin Kumar, Vikram Pillay and Gagan Ajit Singh were axed while experienced midfielder Viren Rasquinha was surprisingly dropped from the 16-member squad at the last minute.

India, Gold medalists in 1966 and 1998, are in Pool-B along with Korea, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Oman. Pool-A consists of Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.

The importance of making it to the final was never such a crucial factor before in the Games as it is now because it is the first qualifying event for the Olympics and the two finalists will qualify for the Beijing Olympiad in 2008.

Though the Indians look set to make it to the semi-finals without much ado, they need to keep a sharp eye on defending champions Korea, besides China who have improved significantly under Korean coach Kim Sang Ryul.

India and Korea are expected to make it to the semi-finals from this pool while Pakistan, Malaysia and Japan would be the front-runners for the medal rounds from the other group.

Coach Vasudevan Baskaran would also be aware of the fact that Pakistan, Japan and Korea all finished in higher positions at the World Cup and with just two Olympic berths up for grabs, the pressure will be on India.

India's chances hinge on consistency in their midfield play that had let them down in the World Cup. The absence of experienced Viren Rasquinha, controversially dropped on the eve of team's departure could be felt.

Much will depend on how well the coach would be able to mesh the players into an effective unit. The team appears fairly balanced, but then in the past, few could accurately predict India's performance that swung from the mediocre to sublime.

For India, the key game in the pool could be against China who are known for the speed and fitness, much like the Koreans. China have been preparing for the Olympics for several years now and with regular exposure trips abroad, they could prove to be a stumbling block.

Bangladesh and Oman could provide useful workout to the Indian team, for neither is expected to pose a serious threat.

India last won the Asian Games gold medal in 1998 after a lapse of 32 years. Barring the bronze medal in 1986, the year that witnessed rise of Korea as a major hockey power, the Indians took the silver on nine other occasions.

Indian team prior to the start of the tournament has played three practice matches -- against Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong -- and all the players looked in a good form. Bhaskaran, who on the first day of his arrival had said that the team's first target is to make it to the final, seemed satisfied the way players have displayed their form so far.

''We scored some field goals in the practice matches and after seeing the way boys have played in these shortened outings, I can say they have adapted very well to my plans. And the exhibition of play was right and I am happy with what we have done so far,'' he said.

The coach will initially go with 2-4-4 combination.

''As per the tournament rules, we can have only 16 players out of which two are goalkeepers and one is a defender. So we have to rotate with just 13 players.'' In the absence of drag-flickers Sandeep Singh, who is recovering after sustaining an accidental bullet injury, the team will rely on V Raghunath to score from penalty-corners. And with the inclusion of in-form Harpal Singh, the defence looks good.

The coach hoped that his forwards will be able to convert even half chances, given the importance of the tournament.

''We can't afford to miss chances, we have to make use of even friction of a chance,'' he said.

Indian attack will be spearheaded by Shivendra Singh, the top-scorer in the World Cup and the coach is of the view that ''he (Shivendra) has matured enough to deliver the goods upfront. He has to be firm in his approach. He has improved and with more international exposure he will get better.'' However, Baskaran guarded against complacency and said, ''winning practice matches gives you good feeling good but all depends on how well you play on the day when it matters.'' ''You also have to take into consideration that other teams will also have a plan against us. We have to play well against all teams,'' he said.

Skipper Dilip Tirkey also sounded hopeful of his team's good showing here and said, ''We are well prepared and I am confident that we will come out with some good performances.'' UNI