New Delhi:
Unfazed by the speculation on his rift with some players, Indian hockey coach Jose Brasa on Sunday said he is aiming for nothing less than the title at the Champions Challenge-I tournament in Argentina next month.
The Indian team was here to attend the logo unveiling ceremony for next year's Hero Honda World Cup before leaving for Spain en route to Salta, Argentina where the tournament is scheduled from December 6-13.
"The aim is to win. We will win all the matches. I am happy with the team. It's a big group and and each and every player is fighting for his position. Players have worked hard and are a bit tired but they will have a camp in Madrid to recover," Brasa said after the logo unveiling ceremony.
The Spaniard reiterated that he enjoys a good rapport with all the players.
"There is no problem between me and players. There is no fight at all. Nothing like that is there. All lies (were spread)," he said.
According to Brasa, there was a need to improve mental toughness of the players in the wake of their caving in the dying moments of the game.
"We have to work on the mental aspect of the game. The physical aspect, we are handling with long stamina training. But there is need to work more on the mental aspect," he said.
The coach asserted that Rajpal Singh was the best option available to lead the team after incumbent Sandeep Singh's back injury.
"We have full confidence in Rajpal. We had tried many a captains during the Canada tour and we will try at least two more. Out of all those tried, all the coaches felt that Rajpal is best," Brasa said.
The coach said India's defence was an area which needs improvement as he is trying to combine the European and Indian style of training while guiding the team.
"I am more concerned about the defence and we will continue with the fast Indian style of attack. We are trying to combine both the European and Indian elements in training." New skipper Rajpal was also confident of putting up a good show in Argentina.
"We will play a major tournament after a long time. We are excited and confident. The teams (in tournament) will be surprised. We will play with a new style. We have trained well and we will be benefited by that in the tournament," he said.
On being asked about the controversy relating to Brasa and some disgruntled players, he said, "There is no problem. I don't know how it has all happened."
Seasoned forward Prabhjot Singh said Brasa has introduced some new methods of training during the camp but more or less the technique of the players was the same.
"Every coach has his own style of training and so is with Brasa. He hasn't tried to change our techniques. We are good bunch and we will do well," he said.
The Indian team was here to attend the logo unveiling ceremony for next year's Hero Honda World Cup before leaving for Spain en route to Salta, Argentina where the tournament is scheduled from December 6-13.
"The aim is to win. We will win all the matches. I am happy with the team. It's a big group and and each and every player is fighting for his position. Players have worked hard and are a bit tired but they will have a camp in Madrid to recover," Brasa said after the logo unveiling ceremony.
The Spaniard reiterated that he enjoys a good rapport with all the players.
"There is no problem between me and players. There is no fight at all. Nothing like that is there. All lies (were spread)," he said.
According to Brasa, there was a need to improve mental toughness of the players in the wake of their caving in the dying moments of the game.
"We have to work on the mental aspect of the game. The physical aspect, we are handling with long stamina training. But there is need to work more on the mental aspect," he said.
The coach asserted that Rajpal Singh was the best option available to lead the team after incumbent Sandeep Singh's back injury.
"We have full confidence in Rajpal. We had tried many a captains during the Canada tour and we will try at least two more. Out of all those tried, all the coaches felt that Rajpal is best," Brasa said.
The coach said India's defence was an area which needs improvement as he is trying to combine the European and Indian style of training while guiding the team.
"I am more concerned about the defence and we will continue with the fast Indian style of attack. We are trying to combine both the European and Indian elements in training." New skipper Rajpal was also confident of putting up a good show in Argentina.
"We will play a major tournament after a long time. We are excited and confident. The teams (in tournament) will be surprised. We will play with a new style. We have trained well and we will be benefited by that in the tournament," he said.
On being asked about the controversy relating to Brasa and some disgruntled players, he said, "There is no problem. I don't know how it has all happened."
Seasoned forward Prabhjot Singh said Brasa has introduced some new methods of training during the camp but more or less the technique of the players was the same.
"Every coach has his own style of training and so is with Brasa. He hasn't tried to change our techniques. We are good bunch and we will do well," he said.
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