I want to make Sydney memorable for one and all — Pillay

Q: Are you saying that in an Indian set up that did not happen?

A: To a large extent. But then we don’t play competitive hockey constantly. Therefore there is not much of a need to think about the game all the time. But playing in a professional league, especially in Germany, where you have all the top players gunning for you, you certainly get better.

The sharpness you need to excel in international hockey comes almost instinctively. There is no need to put in an effort to play better. The situation itself brings out the best in you.

Q: Apart from playing to a hectic schedule, what makes the pro league effective?

A: One thing I can tell you straight away is that the coach is the king in the team. No matter how big a star you are, you have to listen to the coach and play. And that is something I have realised now.

It is imperative to listen to your coach if you have to maintain form. For, as players, we tend to take things into our own hands, assuming we are handling the situation well. This happens when the team is facing deficit especially. Instead of helping the team’s cause we only get excited unnecessarily and end up bungling the match.

The coach, on the other hand, sits outside and watches all the moves, especially the mistakes. Therefore his advice becomes invaluable.

I am not saying that a player has no role to play in the scheme of things. But then he should fall into line with the team strategy. It is like a good actor working with a director. The director calls the shots, but the actor always has the scope to improvise. Only then you get a brilliant movie. Similarly, in hockey too, it is crucial to abide by the coach’s tactics and improvise your role in the strategy.

Q: Do you think more Indian players should play the pro circuit?

A: Certainly. Your very approach to the game changes. As I said earlier, there is not a moment to relax. Also there is this factor of making a living out of hockey. That naturally brings out the best in you. Every match is a do-or-die effort. That hones your skills to the highest level. There is nothing like playing against international opposition day in and day out.

Q: What are India’s chances at the Olympics?

A: The boys are working very hard. The wins against Germany and Australia in the same tournament has made the boys think very positively. The morale of the team is very high.

I should say we are in a relatively easy pool. All the penalty corner teams — the Netherlands, Germany and Pakistan are in the other pool.

I think we have to take it match by match. We start against South Africa. We have to get three points from that. That will give us a good base to take on the big three — Australia, Spain and South Korea. The chances to qualify to the semi-finals are very high. From then on, it is anybody’s game.

Q: What is your personal agenda at Sydney?

A: Like I had said before the Bangkok Asian Games these are my last years in international hockey. I had said then we would win the gold medal at the Asian Games. We achieved that. I am happy it happened under my captaincy.

Now for Sydney, this perhaps is my last Olympics. Like Bangkok, I want this also to be a memorable one not only for me, but for the entire hockey fraternity in the country.