India to meet Holland in Olympic opener .

Oh my god, exclaimed former national team captain Ajit Pal Singh on hearing about India’s group at the London Olympics.

Indeed, millions of hockey fans around the country, and even the Indian team players themselves, must have reacted in the same manner as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced the pools for the London Olympics on Tuesday.

They would be entirely justified since India have been clubbed with defending champions Germany, strong contenders Netherlands, Asian powerhouse Korea, New Zealand, and Belgium in an extremely tough Pool B. Pool A consists of World Champions and top ranked Australia, hosts Great Britain, Spain, Pakistan and Argentina.

“Pool B is definitely the toughest one. Pool A is a bit easier, but India, I can tell you, is in a very tough pool,” Ajit Pal Singh told The Pioneer.”The players are working very hard in training, and they have improved, but let me tell you, they are definitely in a very tough pool.”

India will open their campaign against The Netherlands on July 30 followed by matches against New Zealand (August 1), Germany (August 3), Korea (August 5) and Belgium (August 7).

Based on world rankings, the 12 teams in both men’s and women’s sections are divided into two pools of six and each team plays every other in their pool. The top two teams in each pool qualify for semifinals, with the winners then going head-to-head for the gold medal. The other teams in the two groups play each other to determine final placement.

Although they have improved by leaps and bounds since Australian coach Michael Nobbs took over the reigns, the Indians are expected to struggle against the likes of Germany and Holland. The Koreans, with their lighting fast counter-attacks and seemingly inexhaustible stamina, should also prove to be a stern test, specially given the weak Indian defence. The Kiwis are the weakest lot in the pool. But Belgium, with their well organized defence are tough nuts to crack.

“We have improved a lot in terms of fitness, penalty corner conversion and attacking is much better. My only worry is the defence. That is the main problem,” Singh asserted.

The strongest point for India will be their positive attitude and fighting spirit.”Every team plays to win and we will also do the same,” Indian captain Bharat Chetri had asserted after winning the Olympic qualifiers.
Sometimes, winning and losing is a matter of attitude.

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London 2012 - PQ Match: India Lose 3-1 against Qatar

Qatar survived some anxious moments to beat India 3-1 in the Pre-Olympic Qualifier at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha.

Chrispd: The band of the local Doha crowd which had taken over the Al Sadd more than an hour prior to the kick-off went off all of a sudden in the 7th minute. Despite the floodlights glowing, there seemed darkness all around; or rather disbelief. India took the lead.

What was supposed to be a harmless throw-in down the left, stung Qatar. The power and the velocity of Raju Gaikwad’s long throw left the Qatar defence guessing; and off the melle, Jeje Lalpeklua tapped home.

The NRIs went berserk; the locals looked up to the giant screen only to see the Indian boys celebrating.
Three minutes later, goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani saved a penalty – Qatar’s Captain and best player Hasan al Haidos failing to beat Kattimani from the spot after he was brought down on the edge of the box. An upset stayed on the cards.

But Qatar pulled it back – Al Khalfan slotting it home after he anticipated a through pass that split second ahead of an advancing Kattimani.

The Indians were pushed to defence for the rest of the first half. Haydos, desperate to make amends for his missed penalty was omnipresent but the Indians held fort as the score read 1-1 at the interval.

Changing over, Haidos was eventually rewarded after he ran diagonally anf finished it off with a long-ranger which beat a diving Kattimani in the 54th minute to make it 2-1 for Qatar.

The flurry of attacks resulted in the third goal for Qatar in the 68th minute – substitute Mohamed El Neel tapping it in from close.

The Indians pressed hard for the second away-goal but Jeje and Sabeeth didn’t get much support from an off-colour Lalrindika and Jewel Raja.

The second-leg is slated for Pune’s Balewadi Sports Complex on June 23.

MATCH STATS
Qatar u23 3-1 India U23

Goals:
0-1 Jeje Lalpekhlua (7′), 1-1 Al Khanfan (14′), 2-1 Hasan Al Haidos (54′), 3-1 El Neel (68′)

India U23
1-Laxmikant Kattimani; 2-Abhishek Das, 3-Arnab Mondal, 4-Raju Eknath Gaikwad [C], 5-Gurjinder Kumar; 6-Lalrindika Ralte, 8-Jewel Raja Sheikh, 7-Shilton Sydney D’Silva (73′ Zakir Mundampara), 9-Kh. Jibon Singh; 10-Jeje Lalpekhlua, 11-C.S. Sabeeth.

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Bulpin: “We need to convert our chances”

Desmond Bulpin is a passionate man. Presently in charge of India’s Pre-Olympic Qualifier against Qatar, the hard taskmaster is impressed with the discipline of his boys. In a freewheeling interview to http://www.the-aiff.com/, Bulpin stresses India will have their chances in the two matches and need to cash in on them.

How has Team India’s preparation been?
The incessant rain has been a bane. But on days we haven’t been able to train on the field, we have compensated with indoor sessions. The attitude of the boys have been excellent.

Do you have any idea as to how Qatar have prepared for the match?
They have been long preparing for this match. They have had a long camp in Spain. Add to add the wonderful facilities they boast of, I’d say they’ve prepared a bit more than us. Let’s not forget they stay way above us in the FIFA rankings.

Does India stand a chance of beating Qatar?
Why not? It’s a football match after all. There’s no doubting they are more technically equipped and an advanced footballing nation than us. So they will try to dominate. But I’m sure we will have our chances too. We are working on our set-pieces and have specific plans which I can’t divulge at the moment.

How much of a help is the fact that Indian Arrows form the nucleus of the Indian side?
Obviously it helps when the boys have stayed and played together for such a long time. They gel well both on and off the field. In that sense, we stay ahead of Qatar. But the National Team is not just about the Arrows. The other boys who have come in have impressed me with their attitude, discipline and professionalism.

What would be your strategy in Qatar?
We need to defend well. There isn’t any room for silly mistakes. Given the fact there are many Indians based in Doha, I expect good support for our boys. That would pump up the boys for sure.

If it rains during India’s home-match in Pune on June 23, will it help India?
Let’s take one match at a time. I’m concentrating on the away-match at the moment. But yeah, if it rains during our home-match, I won’t complain.

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Pre-Olympic Qualifiers: We Certainly Can Beat Qatar, Says India Midfielder Jewel Raja

The Indian Arrows midfielder spoke to Goal.com following India’s first training session as part of the preparations for the forthcoming tie against Qatar…

The India Under-23 squad took to the field for their first outdoor training session of the preparatory camp for the forthcoming Pre-Olympic Qualifier against Qatar. Desmond Bulpin’s team regrouped at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune on Friday and were forced to train indoors due to incessant rains till Saturday evening.

Midfielder Jewel Raja, the team’s most crucial asset, is happy with the preparations so far. Following the first day’s training session, he told Goal.com, “First day’s training was good, the coach was also happy. We have training sessions in the morning and evening. We work on our fitness in the mornings while evenings we work on the tactical aspects. Sometimes we also take to the pool for swimming to build on our fitness. So far it has been quite good.”

When asked whether the rains have come in the way of their preparations for the big match, he replied, “No, it’s not much of a problem. There is little rain but this is not cricket. Football can easily be played in the rains and moreover, it adds to the fun.”

India last played Qatar in the Asian Games last November and lost by a narrow 2-1 margin. Raja is confident this team can avenge the defeat. India’s 25-member camp consists of 17 players from the Indian Arrows. An ‘Arrow’ himself, Raja believes Qatar would have been defeated if the current team was available.

“I am sure we can beat Qatar. We have played against their under-23 team in the past where we lost very narrowly. This time round we have a big group of the Indian Arrows players which has trained together for almost a year and the inclusion of some more quality players from other clubs will strengthen the side. We have played with each other for a long time and we are a compact side. If we had this same team earlier, we would have beaten Qatar. Last time, we hardly got 20 days to train, but this time it’s different,” said the former Dempo player.

India will travel to Doha to face Qatar on June 19 and later will be the hosts for the return-leg on June 23 at the Balewadi Stadium.

Meanwhile, on an individual level, Jewel has made rapid progress since his move to the Indian Arrows at the start of the recently concluded season. The 22-year old midfielder found rare starts in Dempo’s midfield and hence joined Mohan Bagan last year after his contract with the Goan side expired. However, Raja did not make any appearances for the Kolkata giants as the AIFF had asked the clubs to release their under-23 players to form Indian Arrows.

The resultant effect worked pretty much in favour of the youngster – Raja included - who found recognition among the I-League biggies. Raja, no doubt was a regular in the India Under-23 squad, but he also got a call up for the senior national team following his impressive performance with the Arrows.

“Playing for the Arrows has helped me a lot. Last season I was with Dempo but I did not get enough opportunities to play in the I-League. Now that I am with the Arrows, I have realized how important and significant it is to play in the I-League. As a result I also got a call up for the Indian senior squad beside the under-23,” explained Raja.

Now that Raja has made a mark in Indian football, offers seem to pour in but he is undecided yet. The Tata Football Academy product is certainly looking at higher avenues but has kept his decision on hold till the future of Indian Arrows is decided.

“As of now it is not certain if Indian Arrows will continue or not. If they continue then I will surely give a thought of staying back. I am ready for a bigger challenge but I’ll take a decision only after Indian Arrows’ future is settled,” he concluded.

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Pre-Olympic Qualifier: 18-Man India Under-23 Squad Announced For First Round Tie Against Qatar

Ten Indian Arrows members have made it into the final 18-man India Under-23 squad for the two-legged first round Pre-Olympic qualifying tie against Qatar.

The final 18-man squad has been announced for India Under-23's first round Pre-Olympic qualifying tie against Qatar.

Ten Indian Arrows members made it to the final squad and defender Raju Gaikwad has been named as captain.

The first leg will be played at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha on June 19th and the return leg will take place at Pune's Balewadi Sports Complex on 23rd June.

Desmond Bulpin's side had beaten Myanmar 3-2 on aggregate in the preliminary round to setup this two-legged tie against Qatar.

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Laxmikant Kattimani (Dempo SC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Indian Arrows)

DEFENDERS: Raju Eknath Gaikwad (Capt.), Deepak Devrani, Abhishek Das (all Indian Arrows); Arnab Mondal (Chirag United), Saba Saleel (ONGC)
MIDFIELDERS: Jewel Raja Sheikh, Shilton Sydney D’Silva, Kh. Jibon Singh, Lalrindika Ralte (all Indian Arrows); Gurjinder Kumar (Pune FC), Snehasish Chakraborthy (McDowell Mohun Bagan), Anthony Barbosa (Salgaocar SC), Zakir Mundampara (Churchill Brothers)

FORWARDS: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Manandeep Singh (both Indian Arrows); CS Sabeeth (Viva Kerala)

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