In must-win situation, team need quick-fix

In a must-win situation to book an Olympic berth, Indian women need to quickly work out their problem...

In a must-win situation to book an Olympic berth, Indian women need to quickly work out their problem areas ahead of their crucial tie against the United States tomorrow in a hockey qualifying tournament here.

India need to win both their remaining league matches 8212; against the USA and France 8212; in the tournament to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for Beijing. They have lost two of their three matches by an identical single goal margin so far.

But the captain and the coach had different opinions on what ailed the players.

While captain Mamta Kharab insisted that her team required to be proficient in penalty corner conversions, coach MK Kaushik feels that the forwards need to be more sincere.

8220;We are just failing in one area, the penalty corners. There is sometimes a problem in stopping which affects the rhythm. We also missed a couple of drag-flicks. We know this is the area we need to work and we are at it,8221; she said.

But Kharab is optimistic, saying the bad days were over and the team would do everything to bounce back in the tournament.

Leading from forward

Kaushik said if India had to bounce back, their forwards have to score. 8220;Yes, stopping is a problem. But the real problem is not scoring. The scoreboard is the proof. Names of senior players like Surinder Kaur, Jasjeet Kaur and Mamta Kharab are not there,8221; he said.

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8220;I have no complaints against any individual, but the seniors have to understand just domination won8217;t do, there have to be goals on the field. They need to set standards for the youngsters to pick up,8221; he added.

With nine points each the United States and Netherlands Antilles are sitting pretty at the moment. One more outright win for either will take them to the final while Belgium or India can make it with two wins if Antilles lose both of theirs.