For a team struggling to find the right balance before the 2007 World Cup, this gradual coming of age of a 20-year-old player will be a shot in the arm-a special drag-flicker now pulling up the rest of his game too.Along with the podium finish that the Indian hockey side is bringing home from their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign in Malaysia is more good news in the form of Sandeep Singh. The Sikh from Kurukshetra scored the match-winner on Sunday against New Zealand when both teams were grappling at 2-2, scoring off a low drag-flick on India’s third corner. A welcome score, but Sandeep’s teammates and the management are more enthusiastic about the other development: the improvement in his all-round game.“After the stint with Eindhoven club, Sandeep’s confidence has improved,’’ India’s assistant coach Harinder Singh told The Indian Express from Kuala Lumpur. ’’He’s more positive in his approach to his overall game.’’ For Sandeep this is a huge morale booster.Earlier in the tournament, Sandeep was among the scorers in India’s 5-2 win over Malaysia. Against South Korea, Sandeep set up Tejbir Singh with an impeccable pass and later scored through a venomous drag. Against eventual champions Holland too, Sandeep had the Dutch strikers well covered and left a mark. Certainly, the transformation is being noticed. After all, six months ago, coaches needed to keep him hidden until short corners materialised, picking him as a forward for Champions Trophy, later as a defender. “We gave him a few basic drills for defenders and also worked on the basics,’’ said Merwyn Fernandes, coach of the domestic league team Sandeep plays for, Indian Airlines. Sandeep himself admits he’s a better-rounded player since he began practicing the drills at Holland. “I want to be as accomplished a defender as Dilipbhai (Tirkey),’’ he said. “So I’ve used this opportunity to try and find a more inclusive role for myself in the team.’’ Dutch win titleKuala Lumpur: The Netherlands orchestrated a blitzkrieg that annihilated Olympic champions and holders Australia 6-2 in the final of the 15th Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament here today. Attacking with great pace and precision, the Dutch scored through Roderick Weushtof (6th, 47th, 66th), Taeke Taekema (22nd), Teun de Nooijer (42nd) and Ronald Brouwer (52nd).Australia, four-time winners and defending champions, were left with no answer to the assault and only in the later stages of the game did they get their bearings to scramble home a couple of goals through Matt Naylor and Robert Hammond.
