CHENNAI, Jan 4: For the Indian seniors team who had an almost total lay off last year, barring the four nation hockey tournament at Hamburg where they finished at the bottom, it will be an acid test as they take on Champions Trophy winners Germany in the first match of the four-Test series at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium tomorrow.The German squad, trained by one of the finest coaches in the world, Paul Lissek, is in full strength with as many as seven veterans of the Atlanta Olympics, where they lost to Holland 2-3 in the semi-finals. Thereafter, Germany's rise has been meteoric under the guidance of Lissek.
As for the Indians, who have fielded seven juniors, this Test will basically be an eye-opener and will get them mentally strong for the stiffer battles ahead. Interestingly, India play their first league match against Germany in the World Cup on May 21.
As the past records reveal, Germany look a stronger outfit. They do have in them Christopher Reitz who has played in two Olympics and earned 79
international caps and young Nils Kowalczek guarding the goal. The deep defence will be manned by the experienced Jan Peter Tewes (156 internationals) and Kai Hollensteiner. Phillip Crone is an upcoming player. Brothers Martin and Christopher Eimer will be ably supported by Christian Hofen Mayer, Patrick Bellenbaum in the half-line. Least be said about the forwards who have displayed their fighting qualities, particularly when the chips are down. The 3-2 triumph over Australia in the Champions Trophy final at Adelaide last year stands testimony to this.
The senior-most player, skipper Christian Blunck, who has played 173 internationals and is an expert in penalty corner conversion, will be a force to inspire his younger colleagues. Christopher Bechmann, who holds the rare honour of scoring two hat-tricks in the Champions Trophy in India (Chennai, 1996) and in Australia (Adelaide, 1997), will be the player to watch. Joining him in the attack will be Eiko Rott, Christian Kurtz and Michael Waldhausen.
On
the other hand, the Indians look a depleted side owing to a string of injuries. Most importantly, they will be missing the services of Mohammed Riaz, Baljit Singh Saini -- skipper of the second placed squad at the Junior World Cup at Milton Keynes -- and Harpreet Singh. However, the Indian coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran was optimistic about India's performance. ``We have seven juniors of the World Cup squad and this is a good opportunity to make them stronger.'' Dhanraj Pillai looks reformed and his sojourn in France, playing the league, has made him a faster and better player. Mukesh Kumar on the right wing will have a key role to play and India can make a match of it provided the forward line of Gavin Feriera, Harbajan Singh and Baljit Singh Dhillon combine effectively.
Dilip Tirkey and Lazarus Barla in the deep defence and KK Poonacha who had a good percentage of penalty corner conversions, will be tried out. Goal-keeper Prasad will make his debut. But Jagdish Ponnappa of the Junior World Cup squad, will be
the main goal-keeper. Local player Thirumalvalavan, is expected to take over the centre half position from Riaz. Baljit Singh Chandi and Anwar Khan will join him in mid-field.
In the recent past, India have lost to Germany on all the occasions they have contested. At the Champions Trophy in Chennai, they lost 2-1 in the league phase and yet again for the third-fourth place match, they lost 4-2. Last year at Hamburg, Germany had trounced India 6-1.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
