'We can't afford to relax in Olympic qualifiers'

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Agencies

Posted online: Monday , February 25, 2008 at 02:57:14
Updated: Monday , February 25, 2008 at 03:16:53

New Delhi, February 25: Keeping a keen eye on India's progress, hockey great Dhanraj Pillay cautioned the players that they cannot afford to let slip an inch in the qualifiers if they want to make the cut for the Beijing Olympics.

Pillay said though eighth-ranked England would be the main opponent to beat in the Chile qualifiers, to be held from March 1 to 9, India must not take other teams for granted.

"Obviously England is the major hurdle before us. But the whole world closely watches the Olympics and World Cup qualifiers. Every team comes well prepared for these events. So we should not take any side lightly as losing one point would pile the odds against us," Pillay said in an interview.

The four-time Olympian said though the present team was not one of the strongest sides India ever had, yet its preparation was good enough to see them through.

"The training was good. They were completely focused on it and the players were not allowed to play for their departments. Also, they returned from a camp in Australia. They appear to be well prepared," he said.

"But we should not be over-confident. Because England look very confident and they have said they can beat India," he said.

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