India's chief hockey coach Jose Brasa spoke to espnstar.com on challenges facing Indian hockey and what is in store for future.

By Chandraboli Mitra

Q. What is your impression of the Indian players so far?

A. Indian players are very talented and skillful and most importantly they are all very good human beings. We have been working very closely with each other but there is a lot of scope for improvement. What is most heartening is the fact that the players are very keen to learn and improve. They are responding well to all the challenges.

Q. Which are the areas where the players need improvement?

A. Players need to improve their basic skills. Defence is one area where the team needs a lot of improvement. We are conceding a number of goals in last minutes and that needs to be worked out at the earliest. We are too dependent on the specialist players, who are doing specific jobs on the field. But now, we need to develop all-rounders, where everyone should be able to do everything. Every player has to be a good defender, a good midfielder as well as a skilled forward. They must learn all the skills.

This is the approach that has been adopted by all the top-ranked hockey teams in the world. We also have to adapt to the modern techniques of hockey and the players will have to work on their speed and strength as well.

Q. What positives can you take out from the five-week training camp in Pune? How much beneficial has it proved to be?

A. We have had a good training camp in Pune but five-week period is not a very long time. There is a need to spend more quality time together so that the players can adapt to my strategic planning efficiently. But it would be too early to expect great results very soon.

No doubt that Indian hockey had a glorious past but the present reality is that India are no more one of the top-ranked teams in the world. We have to accept the fact that our current ranking is 12th in the world. The Indian team hasn't achieved much in the past years, so a lot of work needs to be done.

Q. What exactly are you looking at in the tour of Europe?

A. The tour of Europe will mainly be a learning experience for the team. All the teams that we would be playing against are placed above us in the world rankings. So, there is no question of competing with them but learn from them as much as possible. We are going there to learn from our opponents.

I would have liked to play against teams which are of equal strength but since this tour was already scheduled, we must take this as a good learning experience, where we will try and pick up the new techniques. Indians, now need to learn the skills from Europe.

This tour of Europe is just the beginning. We are preparing for the upcoming World Cup next year in March.

Q. What do you have to say about the absence of the goalkeeper Baljit Singh from the tour after he suffered a fatal eye-injury during the training camp?

A. It is definitely a big loss for the team. He is our best goalkeeper. But these are the situations which bring a team closer and prompt it to fight as a unit. And we will have to do just that.

As far as Baljit's injury is concerned, it is very unfortunate but we are all with him and praying for his speedy recovery. It is good to know that both the Indian government as well as Hockey India is doing everything they could for Baljit.

Q. When can we expect the team to start producing results?

A. We need at least two years before we start producing the desired results consistently. But our biggest moment will be the World Cup at home next year. And we are looking forward to compete well during the mega-event.

Q. You have been talking about the equipments you require for the training of the players for some time now but you haven't yet got those. What is your reaction on this? How were the facilities in Pune?

A. Facilities in Pune are top-class. It matches the international standard. It has everything one can ask for but the problem is there is no one who knows how exactly to use the system and get the maximum out of it.

Besides, I have been asking for some equipment for the players' training, which I am yet to get. Equipments are very important part of the training programme. However, we are on the way of getting them soon. Actually, SAI is a little slow in taking decisions. But I have no complains against Hockey India. They are doing the best to provide all kinds of support.

Nonetheless, even without the equipments and the technology we are doing our best and I am receiving full cooperation from all the players.