We wont be satisfied with a draw: Harendra

As coach Harendra Singh divided the Indian players into batches according to their areas of expertise in Mondays training session...

As coach Harendra Singh divided the Indian players into batches according to their areas of expertise in Mondays training session,it was evident that two days of pulsating action against higher-ranked opponents had helped them relax. Not the coach,though,who kept insisting on working out the glitches that still rankle.

A win against Germany will help the hosts to the top of the table after the first leg of the tournament and allow Harendra to try out more variations and experiment with players and combinations.

We will try to go for a result,not be satisfied with a draw. The Germans play a highly tactical and tightly marked game,completely different from Holland,and we need to adjust accordingly, Harendra admitted.

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The coach has repeatedly insisted on ball possession and playing short passes,and thats what one saw the players trying out during practice,even as assistant coach Romeo James kept hitting golf balls to the goalkeepers. We need to be patient. There is no way we can go all out in our attacks and expect to score,because the Germans are as defensive as they are calculating. Tomorrows match will not only test our skills but also our planning, Harendra added.

India missed several chances up front against Holland and failed to earn any penalty corners. But with Deepak Thakur all set to get back on the field despite 14 stitches on the chin,that area should see an improvement. At the same time,the midfield of Arjun Halappa,Ignace Tirkey,Gurbaj Singh and Vikram Pillay has been compact and outstanding on the field,creating numerous chances and sealing gaps in the defence,and India would expect them to continue in the same vein.

On the other hand,Germany are keen to register their first win in the tournament and,having acclimatised to the conditions they would like to go into the second leg on a winning note. The way they bounced back after being 2-0 down against New Zealand despite being the dominating side would give them hope.

New Zealand vs Holland 4.30 pm India vs Germany 6.30 pm

Live on DD Sports

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