Win over India at Doha was no fluke: China coach

Ipoh, Malaysia, May 7 (UNI) Still smarting after his side's 4-5 loss to India in the Azlan Shah tournament yesterday, China coach Kim Sang-ryul has, however, dismissed his Indian counterpart's claims that their win against the same opponents at Doha Asian Games was a fluke.

India lost 0-3 to China in the Asian Games to crash out of a semi-final berth for the first time in the history of the continental sporting extravaganza but after their 5-4 victory over their northern neighbours here, Indian coach Joaqium Cavalrho had described the Doha win as a fluke.

''I do not think that our win over India in Doha was a fluke.

I had assessed them correctly and was confident that we could win that match,'' said Kim who had previously coached the Sydney Olympics silver medal-winning Korean team.

''But that is not to mean that we are the better team. India are better than us as they have more skilful players and have a long history in world hockey. But on that day in Doha we seized the chance and managed to get a result,'' he added.

Kim, however, felt the present Indian team was a better side than the one in Doha, saying, ''In Doha only a few players got behind the ball and they were not attack minded. Here every player was behind the ball and there is more purpose on what they were doing.'' ''Yes, India has the potential to be a good team. I certainly think they are well equipped to regain some measure of their standing but it will take hard work. And it is the results at tournaments like the Asian Games, Olympics and World Cup which will matter. Not friendly tournaments,'' he said.

Kim also warned India not to read too much in their victory over his side.

''The objectives in a tournament like the Azlan Shah Cup were different and losing was not a major problem for us.

''I do not really take stock of the results here as the important thing is what we learn from it.'' Kim said although they scored three penalty corner goals there was no variations during the match.

''I agree that our penalty corner battery was predictable but I have nothing to do with that. Before the game I decided that the captain will make the call on which option to use.

It was a learning process as I wanted them to make decisions and then explain to them why I insist on certain way of playing.

It is easier that way as the players will understand better,'' he added.

Indian coach Joaquim Carvalho, however, stuck to his view that the defeat of India by China at Doha was a fluke.

''I think we showed on Sunday that we are the better side and can beat them. Let us not forget that we have a very young side here and the improvement in the team is there for all to see,'' he said.

''For me the main thing is to keep that edge going against them and move a step ahead each time. The Chinese team we saw here was ordinary and it is almost the same team that played in Doha.

''There could be reasons why we lost in Doha but it is not because they are a better team than us. I would not agree with that.'' With the win over China, the Indians have put themselves in the reckoning for a semi-final berth.

They now play Argentina on Wednesday and only a win will take them through to the semi-finals as the field has been wide open after Argentina stunned Australia 1-0.

UNI