'Presence of seniors a boost'

The Asia Cup starting on Wednesday in Dhaka is Indian head coach Sjoerd Marijne’s first assignment with the men’s team. For India, who finished runners-up in the previous edition in Ipoh in 2013, it is a perfect opportunity to kick-start their stint with the new coach on a positive note.

Led by Manpreet Singh, India begin their campaign against Japan on the opening day of the tournament. Manpreet’s side, featuring mainly youngsters, produced a promising effort in the European Tour in August, winning three games out of five.

With the return of the experienced Sardar Singh, S V Sunil and the rising Harmanpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh, the squad appears to be a balanced one. Manpreet said the presence of seasoned campaigners has bolstered the side.

Important event

“The tournament is very important to us. We need to win the Asia Cup. It has been long since we won the tournament. The entire team is working towards it. We aim to do our basics right and win all the matches. It helps a lot when the seniors are back. If you look at our attack, with Sunil, Ramandeep (Singh) and Akash, they have great coordination with each other.

They are very fast and skilful in the front and play an attacking game. The presence of Sardar and Harmanpreet will boost our defence too,” said Manpreet on Friday, ahead of the team’s departure.

A lot will be expected from Marijne, who is succeeding his fellow Dutchman Roelant Oltmans as the national coach.

“There is not much difference between them. Both are from Holland and the basic style is the same. Just that some of the ideas differ. Working with Marijne has been good so far. He is a very positive man.”

“We are getting to learn new things in training. He hasn’t changed our game much and has made only slight modifications. He is trying to work on our strengths,” he said.

India struggled in their penalty corner conversions in the World League Semi-Final in London and Manpreet said it is one of the areas to improve.

“In the recent tournaments, our penalty corner conversions haven’t been great. We have been working on it and I am sure we won’t repeat those mistakes in the upcoming tournaments,” he offered.

Sunil raring to go

Veteran Sunil, who was rested for the European Tour, said he was happy with the break. “It was a much-needed break. When you play tournaments continuously there are chances of getting injured. It is good for your body if you get a break. Now, I am feeling fresh and I want to perform well at the Asia Cup,” he said.

The Kodagu striker confessed that he wasn’t satisfied with his form in the recent events.

“I had personal issues and that affected my performance. My brother-in-law passed away during the middle of the World League Semi-Final and I couldn’t concentrate. Now I am feeling better and I want to do well at the Asia Cup,” he added.