TN on right track

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The process of separating the wheat from the chaff has entered the home stretch at the Hockey India senior national championship in Bengaluru. The real competition of the tournament begins from the quarterfinals.

Tamil Nadu have done well to reach the last eight. PC expert Rupinderpal Singh struck twice to force a 2-2 draw with Odisha in a pool match, a result that would prove to be critical to TN’s progress in the final analysis.

Rupinder is one of the lethal drag-flickers in the country and his goal-scoring ability will decide his team’s fate in the knockout stage. Tamil Nadu’s likely opponents in the quarterfinals are hosts Karnataka.

TN coach Md. Riaz said reaching the last four wasn’t beyond his team. “I feel TN and Karnataka are at the same level.

Playing on home turf will be a huge advantage for them. At the same time, beating Karnataka is certainly not mission impossible,” the Olympian said.

Riaz, who was Michael Nobbs’ assistant at the London Olympics, said he was pleased with his team’s composition.

“The experience of goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh and Rupinder is invaluable to our team. I’m also delighted that we have a couple of exciting youngsters in our ranks. Dhamu is one of the notable performers in the youth brigade,” he said.

The coach is keen on capitalising on a four-day break before the quarterfinals to fine-tune his team.

“The break has given me an opportunity to address our shortcomings. We are all working hard in training. Our boys have to be on their toes against Karnataka.

Even a slight lapse in concentration can prove to be fatal. In a 50-50 contest, the result is not decided until the final hooter,” Riaz said.