I’ll never come in the way of improvement of Indian hockey: National coach Harendra Singh

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali

New Delhi: National hockey coach Harendra Singh is looking ahead to working with the new chief national coach Spaniard Jose Brasa, who takes over the reins on June 1. While he is waiting to see what the approach of Brasa will be, the meticulous Harendra says he would provide him full support when he begins his stint with a preparatory camp for the upcoming Europe tour on 15 June.

Harendra spoke to me in an exclusive interview after returning from Malaysia where India, seeking a third straight title, finished fifth in the eight-team Asia Cup competition in Malaysia last week. It was his final tournament as coach in-charge.

What went wrong at the recent Asia Cup?

We slipped into a defensive mode in the league match against China and failed to make the semi-finals. But we were not overconfident despite leading 2-0 in that match. You can’t win matches with defensive play, no matter how many goal advantage you have. We have to make sure that when we have the ball all 10 players, barring the goalkeeper, should know how to attack and when we don’t have the ball we should know how all 11 players should defend. This should be borne in mind in practice as well as matches.

So we were too defensive throughout the Asia Cup?

No. For instance, in the match against Pakistan, we were in the opponents’ ‘striking circle’ for 10 minutes, during which we got three chances to score but could not.

What was the players’ performance so far the new rule of self pass was concerned?

We did well. We had also played (and won) the Azlan Shah Tournament under the new rule and had done well there too. The new rule has made the hockey faster and it has made a difference with the Indian team too. This rule gives an advantage to players who are skilful and also fast movers because while taking a free hit he doesn’t have to depend on another player to take the pass.

What was Brasa’s role in the Asia Cup?

He was there as an observer and he noted down some points during the tournament. For your information, I handed over the charge of the team to him on the 16th itself. My only regret is that we could not play the final in my final tournament as coach in-charge.

Will there be changes in the squad for the upcoming tour to Europe?

I can’t say anything now. It will only be known once the preparatory camp for the tour begins on 15 June. I don’t know what Brasa’s plans are. The venue of the camp is yet to be picked, but it will be held either in Bhopal or Bangalore.

What will be your role on the Europe tour?

National coach. I will never come in the way of anyone who does anything for the betterment of our team and Indian hockey. My only wish is to see the national flag fly high in hockey competitions.

Brasa has said that he would support the traditional Indian style of 5-3-2-1. Have you discussed this with him?

We want the results. Whatever the formation, we want the results. The concept is more important than the formation. And the concept should be if you have the ball go all out to score goals and if you don’t have the ball defend the goalpost with all your might.

What the players will be doing before the next camp starts on 15 June?

We have given the players a month long chart to work on speed, agility and quickness, strength training as well as aerobic training from Monday to Sunday so that when they return for the camp they come from a proper rest and are refreshed.

When will the core group of players for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games be picked?

It will be done after the Junior World Cup in Singapore-Malaysia (7-21 June). Brasa and I will be going there to see the tournament and the core group of players will be picked after that.

Will you also have a role in picking the core group?

After the Junior World Cup we will give our recommendations to the selection committee. But I can’t say if I will be involved in selection as such.

(This interview first appeared on www.sportzpower.com)