If there's one thing that can bother Holland when they take on India on Friday, it will be the knowledge that at least three Indian players know their game intimately. Gagan Ajit Singh, Sandeep Singh and V. Raja were playing in the Dutch hockey league just before they returned to India for training before the Champions Trophy. “Not in our teams,” said skipper Gagan Ajit Singh. “But all the players in the Holland side played against us in the league at some point or other.” Still, the team is certainly not taking the encounter lightly, Gagan was quick to add. “Having played against almost everybody in the current team, we do know their strengths and weaknesses, but that doesn’t mean it will be either an advantage for us or a disadvantage for them. It’s a new day, new game. And we’ll have to be careful.” At a team meeting on Thursday the team management discussed strategy, which included applying their first-hand knowledge of the Dutch style. Singh and Raja, both having recently graduated from the junior side, have said repeatedly that the Dutch stint has improved their game vastly. Sandeep, in the team more for his drag-flick potential than for his skills as a defender, told The Indian Express: “I’m a far improved player after playing in Europe.” Coach Clarence Lobo too had said the foreign stint had helped his wards mature. Guus Vogels, senior member and goalkeeper of the Holland team, said “it doesn’t really make a difference,” to his side even if some Indians had enjoyed a two-month stint in the Dutch league. India have had a sorry run in the tournament so far, totting up three defeats in four matches. The only win was the face-saving one against Pakistan on Sunday. Holland, meanwhile, are standing second on the points table at 7, having played four matches, lost one and drawn one. While Australia are absolutely sure of a spot in the final with only wins against their name, Holland will give a final berth their best shot when they take on a depleted India.
