Somaya confident of India ascending hockey podium at Rio

Former India hockey skipper MM Somaya is optimistic that the national men's team has shown enough indications that it stood a very good chance of ascending the podium at next month's Rio Olympics, a feat previously achieved by the nation last in 1980 Moscow Games.
"India are serious contenders for a medal in Rio. Coach Roelant Oltmans has done wonders with the team. He has brought a big change in the way the team plays with emphasis on system of play rather than depending on individuals," he said today.
Somaya spoke on India's prospects in men's hockey at Rio along with 1980 Moscow Games' women's captain Eliza Nelson at a function organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India here.

Pointing out that he was pretty impressed with the way India played in the recent Champions Trophy where they finished runners-up to Australia, the three-time Olympian - who led in the 1988 Seoul Games - said Oltmans changes the system of play not only during a tournament but even midway during a match.
"He can change the formation for every game depending on the opposition and even within a match. At every tournament of late he has tried something new. He has made the players versatile. And that has kept the opposition guessing," said Somaya who figured in the 1980, '84 and '88 Olympics.

"He's focused on team play and not individuals. Barring Sardar Singh there's no individual play. That's the change he has brought. He has also used the rolling substitution beautifully," said Somaya in appreciation of the good work done by the Dutchman.

"The silver medal in the Champions Trophy is a major achievement. We got a bronze in the 1980s the last medal won by India."
"The midfield is also strong with Manpreet Singh, Sardar
and Chinglensana Singh. In front SV Sunil is speedy on ther right but there is one area the forward-line can improve on is in - that is using the width of the field in attack. Sometimes they play only on one flank," said Somaya.

He felt the changed format of the tournament as compared to earlier Games, with the league phase to be followed by the quarter-final stage and not direct semi-finals, would work to the advantage of India.
"Four teams from each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals. It's a good format for us. We are ranked fifth in the world and three teams in our group are ranked below us. After reaching the quarter-finals it's one game at a time."
India are placed in Group B with Ireland, Argentina, Canada, Germany and The Netherlands.
He singled out Australia as his favourites for the gold medal considering their players' vast experience of performing at this level and their attacking style. The former captain also named Germany and The Netherlands as two other strong contenders for finishing at the top.

"Australia are the most consistent team but have only one Olympic gold in kitty. Mark Knowles (captain) and Jamie Dwyer are in their fourth Olympics while Eddie Ockenden and Fergus Kavanagh are in their third. Others like Matthew Swann and Chris Ciriello are in their second. They have vast experience and according to me they start as favourites.
"Germany also have a great team and have won the title in the last two Olympic Games and will come hard for a hat- trick. Holland is also a very balanced team and perhaps the world's best goalie in (Jaap) Stockman. These are three teams I see clearly fighting for the gold. But India can push all of them hard," said Somaya.

Somaya complimented the women's team for having qualified for the Olympics after a huge gap of 36 years and wished them well.
"The current team members have played against a lot of countries who will be in Rio. It will help them," said Eliza, who is a sports officer with the Central Railway.
Eliza said the dropping Ritu Rani from captaincy and from the team itself was "sad."
"It's the sad part that she was not fully fit."
Rani, who led the team in the qualifiers and to a bronze in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, was reportedly dumped from the team due to disciplinary reasons and lack of improvement in her play.

She had also got engaged in between camps and Eliza said from personal experience a lot of sacrifices were needed to focus on the Games.
"In 1980 I was married and living in Pune and the camp was also in Pune but my husband was not with me. Her (Rani) absence from the team is a small drawback," said Eliza.
Queried whether she could have been counselled, Eliza said with the strong support staff that the team has it could have been done.
"There should have been counselling. There's whole lot of support staff with the team. In our time there were only two."

Eliza said the team, sans Rani, can do well but it was not going to be an easy task.
"The team has improved physically and mentally. They have also got international exposure," she added while advocating a league for women on the lines of the men's Hockey India League.