Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Harendra eyes top-six finish for Indian hockey this year

Harendra eBhopal, Mar 24 (PTI) India's men's hockey coach in-charge Harendra Singh is eyeing a top-six finish in world ranking this year and confident about winning the Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia next month.

"India ranks ninth among the hockey playing countries and we are aiming to finish among the top-six nations in the sport by the end of the year," Harendra said today.

Talking to PTI at the central regional centre of Sports Authority of India (SAI), where the team for upcoming Azlan Shah hockey starting on April 5 will be picked up, Harendra said his boys will adopt an attacking strategy this time to clinch the title.

"We are going to lift the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup.

"The team will play an attacking game for which India is known world over. I don't believe in playing a defensive game as it does not lead to victory," Harendra said.

India finished runner-up in the tournament last year.

"The players' morale is high after the team's stunning performance in New Zealand, where India won the Test series 2-0," he added.

Five teams - New Zealand, Pakistan, Egypt, Malaysia, besides India will participate in the tournament.
PTI

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