D'Souza hints at induction of juniors

India hockey coach Cedric D'Souza on Friday attempted to play down India's not-too-good showing in the World Cup qualifier in Edinburgh in July, saying his job was to see India qualify for the finals and that end was achieved.

India finished fifth among the 16 teams that played in the tournament and made the finals, to be held in March, 2002, in Kuala Lumpur.

D'Souza, who coached the Indian team for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, however, admitted there are several grey arears which he will be looking into during the Afro-Asian Games camp, from Saturday.

He hinted that quite a few juniors could be inducted in the senior side despite the fact that veterans like Dhanraj Pillay and Mohammad Riaz have been recalled to the camp. He said these players will be chosen after the junior World Cup in October.

About his plans, D'Souza said there is nothing hard and fast about tactics, which have to be decided from match to match. However, there will be no huge change in the style of play, he concluded.