We need to start with a bang: Tirkey

Since the 3rd-place finish at Azlan Shah tourney in Malayasia, expectations from the Indian hockey team have gone up. DNA caught up with skipper Dilip Tirkey who was preparing with the team for the opener against Germany.

On India’s chances:
As good as any other team. We’ve a very good chance to reach semifinals. We are in the process of building the team. So far it has been good, and a good result is what we are looking for.

On the opener against Germany:
The Germans too are building their team. It gives us some hope although we should not forget that they are the hosts. We will do our best to begin with a bang. A win in the first two matches will ensure us a place in the last four.

On the team’s strengths:
Our defence is shaping up well and the strikers are hitting the target regularly. The midfield is our strength. Vikram Pillay and Viren Rasquinha are truly the best in the business.

On Sandeep Singh:
We will miss drag-flicker Sandeep Singh. Raghunath will take his place. Variations in the penalty corner can be the best way to make use of the corners.

Camps and preparations:
We did have a couple of camps — one each in Bangalore and Chennai. We played two matches before coming to Germany. It is not enough but we did have matches in Germany which were good. It would have been different if we had played some big teams before we landed in Germany.

On chance to play the World Cup for the third time:
I am proud that I have been given a chance to lead the side. I will give my best and the boys are raring to go.