‘Top-six finish will be enough at Olympics’

May 30, 2012 - Age Correspondent

Former India captain Ajitpal Singh felt that a top-six finish at the upcoming London Olympics would be a creditable performance for the national hockey team.

India qualified for the London Games in February after a gap of eight years and former players felt that the team have no realistic chance of winning a medal at the mega event. “The only logical expectation from the team is a top-six finish. If they win a medal nothing like it, but I think a top-six place will be a good performance for India,” 1975 World Cup winning captain Ajitpal said.
Former Olympic gold medallist Zafar Iqbal felt a medal was a distant dream for Michael Nobbs’ men. “We are not anywhere near that level, so we have to be realistic in our expectations,” Zafar said.
The blue turf — to be used for the first time at the London Games in July — has been in the news of late with some teams, including India, struggling to cope with it. But former Olympian and current national selector Col. (Retd) Balbir Singh said that it will be an advantage for the national side.
“I think the blue turf will suit India. It is bouncy and we are good in stopping the ball and also since it is slow so it will help as our defence is a little weak,” said Balbir.

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