Indian hockey skipper Rajpal Singh tells espnstar.com that he is happy with the team’s show in the World Cup.

By Rajarshi Gupta

Despite the controversies surrounding the pay dispute and the captaincy, the Indian hockey team managed to improve on their number 12 world ranking.

A win against Pakistan and a draw against South Africa despite three losses meant the hosts finished fourth in their group, setting up a clash against Argentina for the final 7-8.

Skipper Rajpal Singh seemed visibly pleased with the way the team played and lauded his boys for putting on a ‘brave show'.

"The team has improved and we played well. Hopefully, we can win on Friday and finish, ranked seventh in the world. On hindsight, that wouldn't be too bad."

The striker, who was named captain by coach Jose Brasa in place of Sandeep Singh, rued some missed chances and the new rules after India failed to secure a semi-final spot.

"We would have fared better had the old rules not changed. That worked against us and the team ended up being on the receiving end," Rajpal said referring to the video referral that had his goal against the Proteas overruled, robbing India of a certain win.

Rajpal refused to believe that the Indians played rough hockey despite some of his players coming under the scanner against Pakistan, England and South Africa.

"I don't think we played rough at all. We played tough and fair hockey. Shivendra Singh was suspended for no fault of his. I have absolutely no complaints against the team."

It is anybody's guess what might happen against Argentina in a day's time but for now, hockey fans in the country should be satisfied with what the team has achieved in a short while. Brasa, after all, had his theories worked out: "We improved by four or five places in the last seven months. If we keep going this way, we should be number one by the end of the Commonwealth Games."