Hoping for class of 2016 to deliver
IN BIG LEAGUE With 7 players of junior world cup winning team in squad, Harendra says he can get the best out of them
CHANDIGARH: In the normal course, juniors look up to seniors, hoping to emulate their performances. But as far as performance in the hockey world arena is concerned, it’s the seniors who are looking up to the juniors. The last time, the seniors tasted victory in the World Cup was in 1975, and since then there has been no podium finish. India though are the reigning junior world champions.
Out of the last six junior World Cups — from 1997 to 2016 — India have finished in the top four on four occasion.
They won the title twice (2001, 2016) and were runners-up once (1997). In the period, the best the Indian men produced was eighth place in 2010, in New Delhi.
“There’s no contention that the level of hockey at junior and senior levels are totally different, you can’t compare them. But whenever we have performed well in the juniors, players from that particular batch did well or are doing well in the seniors,” says Rajpal Singh, member of the triumphant 2001 Junior World Cup-winning squad who became India skipper.
“I was part of the 2001 Junior World Cup-winning squad and later got an opportunity to play at the senior level. From our batch, everyone graduated to the senior level. I was the last to debut in the senior team, so you can judge the level of competition we had. Though the performance of the junior World Cup was not matched at the senior level, during that period we had some decent performances at senior level in other competitions,” he said.
“There was a phase when we didn’t do well at junior level and now after 15 years we are again at the podium; this is a good sign for our hockey,” said Rajpal.
In the 2009 and 2013 editions of the junior World Cup, India failed to reach even the quarterfinals. In 2009, India were ninth, and in 2013 as hosts India finished 10th.
TRANSITION
Seven from the 2016 junior Cup squad — goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak, defenders Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar, midfielders Nilakanta Sharma and Sumit, and forwards Mandeep Singh and Simranjeet Singh are in the Bhubaneswar World Cup team.
Almost all members in the current World Cup squad have played under Harendra at different times. With seven from his 2016 junior squad making it to this senior team, his job is becoming easier in overseeing their transition.
“Seniors is a different ball game. As you move towards seniors, the game becomes more tactical, a more mature game is required and players (must get) used to play under pressure as there is no scope for errors,” says Harendra.
“Juniors at times don’t perform at their best when put under a lot of pressure. Thankfully they (the 2016 junior squad) had spent a decent time with me during their junior days. I know them in and out, and this has helped me while dealing with them and making them realise that now they have bigger responsibilities,” he said.
Considering their standing and the new World Cup format, it shouldn’t be an issue for India to reach the quarter-final.
“Currently we are fifth but ranking is not the only thing that will take us to the medal round. We have to be at our best in all the matches.”