India must beat Belgium to stay in contention for semis: Pillay
LUCKNOW: Four-time former hockey Olympian Dhanraj Pillay on Saturday said India must win their game against Belgium on Sunday to stay in contention for a semi-final berth in the ongoing hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar.
“After a successful start, we need to carry on our good run on Sunday,” Pillay said on the sidelines of a sporting extravaganza ‘Pinnacle-2018’ in Lucknow.
Pillay is the only Indian to have played in four Olympics, four World Cups, four Champions Trophies and four Asian Games. After leading India to gold medals at the Asian Games and the Asia Cup in his 12-yearold career, he retired from the sport in 2004.
“The team has had the home advantage for the last two-and-ahalf months. The boys have been training on that surface. We have the best man Harendra Singh as coach. He will be drawing from his success at the junior world cup in the past,” said Pillay, adding, “Our boys too are good and playing top hockey.”
He, however, refused to accept that the current Indian team was the best in the history of Indian hockey. “In 1994, we were the world number 5. Even today, we are at the same spot. So one can understand which has been the best team of India. I was the only Indian player at the time who could figure in the World XI during the 1994 World Cup in Sydney,” he said.
Asked about his recent comment on laptop hockey, the veteran said hockey was technology driven now but “at the end of the day, you need skills and courage to score goals”.
“I do believe in technology- driven hockey but we must make use of it cautiously. The European teams, which have learnt the skills from us, aren’t totally dependent on technology,” he said.
He said a win at the Bhubaneswar World Cup would help change the hockey scenario in India forever. “Yes, we need one big victory, either in the World Cup or the Olympics, and if we do it, India will set new milestones for the game.”
He opposed the appointment for foreign coaches for the Indian team. “Indian players feel more comfortable with an Indian coach. The biggest problem with a foreign coach is language.”
“At the 2004 Athens Olympics, an Indian coach helped us communicate with Gerhard Rach, whose language was a problem for us,” said Dhanraj, adding, “That’s why I find the Indian coaches the best in the world. All top players of India, including Dhyanchand, Mohd Shahid, Pargat Singh and Zafar Iqbal, were nurtured by Indian coaches.”