'Focus is on improving of technical skills'

The Indian men's hockey team coach Paul van Ass says he is focussing on improving the technical skills of the players ahead of the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be played at Ipoh, Malaysia from April 5-12.

The team will depart for the tournament on Thursday and open their campaign against Korea on April 5. Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Canada are the other teams in the competition.

"We are working on every department of the game; it's not about focusing on only one area. The team has some strength and weaknesses and we have to work on improving the strength as well as find solutions to our weaknesses," the coach said.

"I have spent a good amount of time with the team and I understand the team more each day. The aim is not to make major changes but to adapt according to the new system. The focus is on the improvement of technical skills of players."

"Players are in good shape and working hard. I am working on the 60 minutes that each player spends during the match. Suppose, a player keeps the ball for two minutes in a match, I am working on what he does in the rest of the 58 minutes of the game. Similar to this technique, we are working on other aspects of the game as well," explained van Ass.

"The team is very much prepared for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. We will put pressure on the opponents in each match and play all matches with the same intensity. We are looking forward to the tournament in Malaysia," he added.

Defender Birendra Lakra, meanwhile, said that under the new chief coach the team was learning various new strategies.

"The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will be a good opportunity for our team and we are in good position now. The new chief coach is working well with us and we are learning new things about the game and various strategies. Our defence is strong and we are confident enough," he said.