Injury worries for Asia Cup-bound team

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India’s campaign at the crucial Asia Cup men’s hockey tournament in Malaysia this month is under threat from a spate of injuries.
The growing list of the walking wounded — that includes as many as four strikers — has the think-tank in a tizzy, and interim coach Roelant Oltmans says it will “require a lot of work to put in place a fit and competitive team”.
Said Oltmans on Sunday, “It is a pity that these four will not be available (for this tournament) as all of them are very good players. Of course, it affects us and the plans, but I am not going to put too much attention on this.
“We have a lot of work to do and have to make sure that we put in place a fit and competitive team for the Asia Cup. Injuries are part of a top athlete’s life, and we have to take it in our stride.”
S.V. Sunil was the latest to join the list after he collided with the goalkeeper during a practice match in Bengaluru two days ago.
“It couldn’t have come at a worse time. I have a fracture and ligament tear in the elbow. I have been advised six weeks of rest. It is very disheartening to miss out on the event,” said the 24-year-old from Bengaluru.
The others include young striker Akashdeep Singh, who was ruled out last week with a shin injury. Forwards Gurvinder Singh Chandi (ankle) and Danish Mujtaba (knee) too are recovering from injuries sustained in the past and it means India will go into the crucial event with a depleted forwardline.
The squad of 33 probables gathered in the capital on the day and will begin their final leg of preparations from Monday. Oltmans said there were a “lot of areas” that needed attention.
“There are a number of areas, which of course I cannot talk about. We are working according to a structure, and we have things planned out for these 12-13 days. There are a number of issues, that include speed, agility, technique, mental and physical attributes. The work is on.
“It was important to train in Delhi because of the weather too, as we are going to face similar humid conditions in Malaysia,” said Oltmans, who took charge after the sacking of Michael Nobbs last month.
The Asia Cup is the last opportunity for India to qualify for next year’s World Cup, having missed out on a berth during the World League Round 3 in Rotterdam two months ago.