Opening game vs Holland will be crucial: Dhanraj

MUMBAI: Clubbed in what looks like a seemingly tough group, four-time Olympian and former national hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay feels the Indian hockey team will have to seize the initiative from the word go if they are to gives themselves a chance of a medal. In the city for the 'Monnet Go for Gold' torch function meant to encourage the Indian Olympic contingent, Pillay termed the team's opening encounter against a formidable Holland side on July 30 as a "very crucial game".
India had lost their opening games in three out of four Olympic hockey games that Dhanraj had taken part in. "I have taken part in four Olympics and we had invariably lost the opening game (barring once). It's crucial for the Indian team to win the first game," said the one-time mercurial centre forward.
The team had lost 0-3 to eventual gold medal winners Germany in the opening game of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before finishing seventh eventually. Similarly, they lost their lung-openers against Argentina at Atlanta four years later by a lone goal to finally end up in eighth spot, and the story was repeated at the 2004 Athens Games when they lost 1-3 to Germany before finishing seventh overall.
The only time things worked their way in an opener was at the 2000 Sydney Games where a Sameer Dad brace and a goal by Mukesh Kumar saw India thump Argentina 3-0 before narrowly missing out on a semifinal berth only to finish seventh.
In London, Indian men are placed in Group B alongside back-to-back Olympic champions (1996 and 2000) Holland, Belgium, 1992 and 2008 winners Germany, South Korea and New Zealand.
While there's been a lot of talk revolving around the difficult blue turf that will play mat at the London Games, Pillay feels adjusting as quickly as possible would be the key. Asked where he thought the team would finish, Pillay said a top-six finish is what he expects. He was also effusive in praise for coach Michael Nobbs.
"He has done a fantastic job with the boys over the last year-and-a-half. I do feel there were two or three players who have missed out, but I'm sure the team that is going will do justice to their talent," said Pillay.
Pillay was also asked about the ongoing feud in Indian tennis, a controversy he deemed unnecessary. But he was confident that once the Olympics begin on July 27, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi will put behind the selection controversy and concentrate on bringing laurels for the country.
"I know Leander and Mahesh well and, like me, they too are fighters to the core. Mahesh has the habit of leaving controversy outside the court. As for Leander, let me remind you that this will be his sixth Olympics appearance and it takes some big amounts of sacrifice and dedication to be able to do something like that. They have had their differences over the years and maybe this time it's gone too far, but they are professionals and I'm sure the best will come out for the country."