MANPREET SINGH
Having won gold in men’s hockey in five out of five Commonwealth Games editions thus far, it would be an understatement to say that Australia have dominated the sport. And, given their form, it is unlikely any team will be able to challenge them for a sixth title.
Sjoerd Marijne’s India are the secondhighest ranked team in the event but upstaging the Kookaburras will be easier said than done. To add to India’s woes, they are in a tough group with the likes of England, Pakistan and Malaysia.
TRICKY CUSTOMERS
Both England and Pakistan are tricky customers and can cause an upset. With only the top two teams from each pool qualifying for the last-four stage, one bad match can hinder a team’s chances of progressing to the knockout stage.
Thus India, a mixture of experience and youth, will have to be at their best to add gold to the two silver 1998: won in 2010 and 2014. Hockey made its Commonwealth Games debut at Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
For India, Gold Coast will be the testing ground for tougher challenges ahead, such as the Asian Games in Indonesia — the qualifying event for the 2020 Olympic Games, the Champions Trophy at Breda, Netherlands in June and the World Cup in Bhubaneswar in November-December.
CURRENT FORM
Hockey India has gone by current form and not given precedence to sentiments, as evident in the axing of Sardar Singh. The team management has tested a few youngsters on the New Zealand tour and Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia and picked a side they think can do the job in Gold Coast.
“Commonwealth Games may not be our priority but the Indian team always plays to win and this time too it will not be different,” said Marijne. 2006: Draw with Malaysia and defeat to Pakistan meant they finished third in pool and missed semis. In the absence of Sardar Singh, the skipper will have to shoulder greater responsibility and be the fulcrum in the midfield. Manpreet has to be steady and needs to control his players as they tend to lose focus towards the end.
India men’s team will face their biggest challenge from Australia who have won all men’s hockey titles at CWG MUMBAI: LUCKNOW:
2010: Silver medal (Reached the final at home but were thrashed 8-0 by reigning world champions Aus) 2014: Silver medal (Lost 0-4 to Aus in the final). 1998: Finished fourth after losing to NZ 3-0 in semi-finals. 2002: Won gold medal (Defeated hosts England 3-2 in extra time). 2006: Silver medal (Lost 0-1 to Australia). 2010: Finished 5th (Failed to make the semis, losing to South Africa on goal difference). 2014: Finished 5th (Defeats to NZ and SA meant they missed making the semis.