Eyeing direct entry, India wary of upbeat Canada

KEY MATCH

Only two players were seen in India’s final training session ahead of their World Cup clash against Canada. India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and reserve Krishan Pathak spent more than an hour with former India goalkeeper and current coach Bharat Chettri on the practice pitch of the Kalinga Stadium.

Understandably, Sreejesh had turned down requests to talk to the media.

He had just returned from his home a few hours ago where his father was batting for life. The 30-year-old made a to-and-fro two-day trip from Kochi to attend to his father who underwent a heart surgery recently.

RESOLUTE SREEJESH

But on the eve of their final Pool C clash, the goalkeeper looked resolute.

From the stands it could be made out that he was practicing most on his reflexes, asking Chettri to make him reach wide. His intensity showed that he wants to make a point despite the personal stress.

“His mood is as normal as it was earlier. It is part and parcel of life. We allowed him to go for a day. His father is alright. He is still in the hospital but not in the ICU. He is out of danger,” said India chief coach Harendra Singh.

Sreejesh will be key against Canada, who defeated India the last time the two teams met in the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Finals in London last year.

BHUBANESWAR:

TOUGH CUSTOMERS Though ranked six rungs below India at No 11, Canada have a history of being troublemakers. They have now and then upset top teams and that is exactly what they would aim to do come Saturday.

“Tomorrow’s game is going to be very competitive. If we stick to our game plan, we are hard to break.

“We are very opportunistic and have a very good penaltycorner unit. We have strikers