Coaches assure an inspired performance

BANGALORE, January 6: Though it's a long time since India or Pakistan won any medal at the international level, they are still the teams who...

BANGALORE, January 6: Though it8217;s a long time since India or Pakistan won any medal at the international level, they are still the teams who have tremendous potential to trouble the best in the world. That is the reason why preparations against the Asian teams who play a different style of hockey forms a major part in the game-plan of German coach Paul Lissek.

Even for India it is the lack of exposure against the European teams that let them down in major events and the series with Germany will do them a world of good as the team begins its preparation for the Rabobank International World Cup at Utrect, the Netherlands, in May this year.

Champions Trophy winners Germany, who won the first Test at Chennai look confident but the Indian coach Vasudevan Baskaran promises better fare on the morrow when both the teams lock horns in the second of the four-match Test series at the Akkithimmanahalli Stadium here on Wednesday.

Lissek said that he is yet to finalise his playing eleven but indicated that there would be one change in the midfield from the team that played in Chennai. Forward Michael Wladhauser who twisted his left ankle in the practice session on Tuesday is a doubtful starter. The German coach said that the defence led by experienced Jan Peter Tewes did extremely well in the first Test and hopes that the team will improve.

The midfield looks solid with Martin Eimer, Christian Mayerhofer, Michler Klaus and Patrick Bellenbaum while Christoph Bechmann will spearhead the attack.Indian coach Baskaran said that he would drop Baljit Singh Chandi and Ajay Kumar from the 16. He added that he would go in for centre forward Kamal Horo and Anwar Khan. Anwar will be playing as left inside as a withdrawn forward, which means that Gavin Ferreira has to do duty as the right in. However, the coach8217;s main worry will be the midfield where he misses Baljit Singh Saini, Harpreet Singh and playmaker Md Riaz. Now Ramandeep Singh should shoulder the burden along with juniors- Thirumalvalavan and SS Gill.

However, skipper Dhanraj Pillay who returned from the French league last month and Mukesh Kumar showed in Chennai that they are still a force to reckon with and along Gavin Ferreira and Baljit Dhillon will be the players to watch.

Baskaran said that he would start with Jagdish Ponnappa in the goal. RVS Prasad playing his first big match was a bundle of nerves on Monday. However, the coach said that blooding the juniors at this stage was good for the country as they would have enough time to settle down before the team embarks on its journey to Holland in its quest to regain the lost glory.

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The teams from Germany: Christopher Reitz, Nils Kowalczek, Jan Peter Tewes, Martin Eimer, Christian Blunck captain, Kai Hollensteiner, Michel Bjorn, Eiko Rott, Christopher Kurtz, Christopher Eimer, Michael Waldhauser, Christoph Bechmann, Michael Green, Michler Klaus, Patrick Bellenbaum and Christian Mayerhofer.

Coach: Paul Lissek.
Manager: Hans Baumgartner.

India: Jagadish Ponnappa, Dilip Tirkey, Lazarus Barla, Sukhvir Singh Gill, Thirumalavalavan, Ramandeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Gavin Ferreira, Dhanraj Pillay captain, Anwar Khan and Harbajan Singh, RVS Prasad, KK Poonacha, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Samir Dad and Kamal Horo.

Coaches: Vasudevan Baskaran and CR Kumar.
Manager: H Dourado.
Umpires: Keith Cooper England and Steve Graham Wales.