Left flank needs strengthening

ROTTERDAM: Indian hockey continues to ride a wave of high public expectation. The under-21 men's squad, here to defend the title they snaffled in Hobart four years ago, are no exception.
They have just about skimmed the sticks in a low hurdles race after two days of competition. So where do they go from here after having made it to the second stage of the Rabo under-21 junior men's World Cup hockey tournament?
One thing is certain, they will have to gel even stronger in the fierce and more competitive second league stage to make it to the penultimate round.The time for shadow contests is over.
The one good thing about this side is the abundance of talent in midfield. Led by VS Vinay, Vivek Gupta and Nitin Kumar, there is a marvellous blend of creativity and combativeness.
This seems to be the only department which has shown plenty of organisational discipline. If Vinay and Vivek have the experience and expertise, then Nitin was a revelation.
But it is the attack that has been the biggest bother. At times they have looked shockingly ordinary. Tushar Khandekar has proved to be a braveheart. But he too, along with Hari Prasad, V Raja, Ajitesh Roy and Olympian Adam Sinclair have been guilty of pronounced prodigality.
Goals are what India need now. This is not the time or the stage to portray journeyman form. These men have to get cracking.
The dependence, at the moment, has been on Sandeep Singh to get goals from penalty-corners with his powerful drag-flicks. Not only will the burden on him increase but it will also expose him as being India's only potent weapon.