India face big test Down Under

The question that the four-nation tournament may answer is how ready are the teams on view to make a serious assault on the Olympic title later this year? Pre-tournament publicity declares that the Kookaburras (the nickname for the Australian men’s hockey team) are ready to take on World Cup bronze medallists, Germany, the traditionally fierce Indians and the South african team who are anxious to impress in order to keep alive, their hopes of participating in the 2000 Olympics.

Australian selectors have given 23 of the 24 players in their Olympic squad the opportunity to play in the four-nation by naming different teams for the Sydney-based matches and the games to be played when the four teams travel to Perth for the second leg of the tournament, April 12-17.

With Australian Olympic selection only three months away, the teams’ think-tank feel that exposure to international level competition is essential given that the National squad has had no international games since October last year.

India will be keen to test itself against the vastly different styles of the competing nations and begin to look for some stability in their team. The off field uncertainty which has for long plagues Indian hockey seeems to continue to stand out as the team gears up for a competition the country dominated for three decades, winning all six Olympic gold medals and 30 consecutive games from 1928 to 1956.

Debate over the hiring of foreign coaches, a late decision that Bhaskaran will coach the team until the Olympics, IHF office bearers facing a non-bailable warrant, controversy over the recall of the players who were dropped after the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, is not the ideal backdrop to begin preparation foa Olympic build-up.

IHF Secretary-General, K Jothikumaran who is one the those named in the warrant and who is here in the capacity of a judge for the twin four-nation tournaments, said that additions to the team for the Olympics would be discussed only after it returned from Australia.

He said a long camp had been scheduled in May and June and changes would be looked into at that point of time.

If the Indian team fails to perform at par with the other teams over the next fortnight, then June just might be a trifle late for Indian hockey to dig itself out of the hole it has found itself since qualifying for the Olympics as Asian champions.

The Indian team will have considerable ex-pat support both here and in Perth, but fans are hoping Ramandeep Singh’s men don’t repeat the recent Australian performances of the Indian cricket team.

That would be too much humiliation to handle, especially considering India’s reputation as a great hockey-playing nation.

Australian coach, Terry Walsh, has emphasised that National selectors will be following the tour with great interest, as the use of two teams provides the rare opportunity to trial every player and also numerous player combinations against Olympic standard opposition.

While Australia focuses on exposure and experimentation, India, Germany and South Africa, all of whom have qualified for Olympic Games, are fielding hockey.

A strong showing against selection of the world’s best may force South African officials to overturn their controversial decision to withdraw thier hockey team from the 2000 Games.

Two months ago, the South African team — which had qualified for the Sydney Games as the African champions — was told by the National Olympic Committee of South Africa it would not be playing in the Olympic competition.

The two reasons given were that the team did not meet a performance criterion — it would likely not finish better than ninth — and did not contain a sufficient proportion of black players.

The team now has a fortnight to try to convince their National Olympic Committee to South African coach, Giles Bonnet, “the team selected to tour Australia is the most experienced that has ever represented the country to date.”

With a markedly changed line-up to that which played Australia inthe five-Test series in October last year, the Germans under new coach will be looking to refine their game building up to the Olympics.

After having experimented with younger players, the Germans have proved over the last month or so that they are a far more competitive unit now.

The distinct ‘speed’-style of hockey played by the Germans will test all the other competiting teams’ ability to adapt to its game. (UNI)

Match Schedule: (Olympic Stadium, Homebush)

Thursday, April 6: Germany v South Africa. Australia v India.

Saturday April 8: Australia v South Africa. India v Germany.

Sunday April 9: India v South africa. Australia v Germany.