Indian confidence on test today

Ace flicker Sandeep Singh, who authored India’s win with two venomous strikes in the last ten minutes against Pakistan, was confident about India’s chances against the rampaging Aussies. “No doubt they are a good side. But we are prepared too,” he says.

Evidently, the India camp is brimming with confidence. And as Lobo points out, “Their shoulders have broadened. A win against any opposition brings about a transformation. And the confidence is boosted further if it’s against Pakistan,” observes Tushar Khandekar, who provided India with the crucial breakthrough on Sunday.

The 21-year-old BPCL employee has a word of caution for his teammates though. “It will be a new game against the Aussies. We cannot afford to rest on our past laurels. They are a good team and we will have to play accordingly,” he warns.

Australia, who have a reputation of dishing out exhilarating hockey, will put Indian to the sword. The midfielders will have to play out of their skins if they have to keep Australia at bay.

Skipper Gagan Ajit Singh, who seemed pretty relaxed, on the eve-of the match, knows exactly how to deal with the Aussies. “They are super fast. If we allow them to play their game, we will be in trouble. We will be looking to slow them down,” notes the skipper.

Gagan & Co must keep their fingers crossed and pray that their plans better work. If not they’d be treated like Germany and Spain, both of whom were dismissed disdainfully by Barry Dancer’s wards. Germany went down 1-4, while Spain went down 2-4.

While Sandeep Singh remains to be the most important member in chief coach Rajinder Singh Junior’s scheme of things, the deep defence will be stretched as well. A slip-up by Kanlwapreet Singh and Harpal Singh could prove to be fatal.

Ignace Tirkey, who had a brilliant outing against Pakistan, agrees. “They can’t afford to relax,” he says. Arjun Hallappa corrects: “Not only them, all of us will have to be on our toes.”

So, despite being high on confidence after the win against Pakistan, every Indian knows that his task is cut out. As Hallappa observes, “The win against Pakistan was the result of teamwork. I’ve never enjoyed playing hockey so much as I’m with this unit. If we play positively and follow the same pattern, I think we are in with a chance,” he says.

The Australian camp on the other hand is doesn’t want to reveal much. “We’ll have a meeting tonight and then discuss details,” was Australian assistant coach Collin Batch’s remark. Batch, however, reveals that Australia will not be taking India lightly.

“We’ve watched the Indians play against Pakistan and they’ve been pretty impressive,” was Batch’s observation. The players though are in no mood for charity. “We will go for the kill,” right-half Mark Knowles suggests.