New Delhi, April 28: It was the day of drills for the goal-keepers. One by one they took postion at the northern goal-post of the National Stadium as the flurry of hits from players lined up on the circle, continued unabated. Those not in the thick of action worked on their dribbling skills, or tried one-to-one passes to keep the momentum going. However, the focus at the hockey World Cup preparatory camp today kept shifting to the sidelines, where two captains sat, watching the action.Dhanraj Pillay, who led the team for the Pakistan series, and Baljit Singh Saini, captain for the recently concluded four-nation tournament in Australia, were the centre of attraction. They are yet to recover from their injuries but have joined the camp and are expected to be fit for the World Cup beginning on May 15.
Dhanraj, who was injured in the match against Pakistan, has been advised to begin progressive exercises from tomorrow. He may resume playing at the Patiala camp beginning on May 5. His plaster on the fracturedleft feet was removed four days ago. ``There is no pain. I'm itching to get back to action,'' said Dhanraj, who even walked out on the turf to strike the ball around for a few minutes.
``Dhanraj is very tough mentally. He will be fit in a week's time,'' the team doctor SA Cruz informed. ``This is the first time in 10 years that I've been laid low with an injury. It is very frustrating. I was supposed to take some more rest, but I wanted to inspire the juniors, that's why I am here. I hope my presence will give them confidence after the disappointing tour to Australia,'' Pillay said.
Saini, who took a blow on his left cheekbone midway through the Australian tournament, preferred to keep a low profile. He hid his blood-shot left eye behind sun glasses.
``There was a lot of bleeding after Saini was hit, and the redness in his left eye is due to clots formed after the injury. However, the good news is that his vison has not been affected and the fracture has healed,'' Dr Cruz said. Saini has been visitingorthopaedist Dr Ashok Rajgopal and is also meeting a plastic surgeon tomorrow to realign the displaced cheekbone.
Besides Pillay and Saini, there are question marks over two more players -- forward Rajiv Mishra and midfielder Mohd Riaz.
Riaz, who struggled in the series against Pakistan, seems to have recovered fully from the knee injury he sustained in the Federation Cup in December last. ``Riaz is 100 per cent fit. No worry on that count,'' the doctor said.
Mishra has recovered from the knee injury though he still has a slight limp. ``The limp is because he has not played in the past four months. He will find his balance soon. Dr Rajgopal has done a fine job. Besides, Mishra has been training all this while, '' Dr Cruz said.
The Indian coach Vasudevan Baskaran said that he was happy with the team's fitness level. ``Mishra and Riaz are doing fine, and Pilay and Saini will be fit soon. Touch wood, we can do without any more trouble,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the IHF secretary general K. Jothikumaranarrived here today to convene the selection committe meeting. The 16-member squad for Utrecht will be announced on Thursday. The team would be announced keeping in mind the coaches' report as well as the fitness report by Dr. Cruz.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
