We are missing experience in defence: Rajpal

Indian captain Rajpal Singh said Friday his team missed experience in defence during the Hockey World Cup and emphasised that selectors should watch more domestic matches to unearth fresh talent.

"We are missing experience in defence. The problem is that we don't have anybody like Dilip Tirkey now," Rajpal said after India finished eighth in the World Cup after a 2-4 loss to Argentina in a classification game.

"All the selectors and other officials should watch more domestic matches to find out new defenders and other fresh players," he said.

Rajpal conceded that the Indian team did not show any improvement in terms of matches won.

"In 2006 also we won one match, and drew one. And this time also we have done the same. However, we have now moved up to the eighth spot from the 11th place finish four years back. In that way, you can say I am satisfied," he said.

The India captain, however, denied that the team choked under the pressure of expectations.

"Had that been so, we would not have won the first match against Pakistan," he said.

Rajpal also took a dig at the mediapersons, who asked whether the Indian team was also planning to retire by following the example set by the Pakistan side.

"We finished ninth, tenth and eleventh in the last three World Cups. And under my captaincy the team got the eighth place. And you want me to resign?"

When a scribe pointed out that he had targetted a semi-final finish before the tournament started, Rajpal said: "Somewhere down the line we deviated from our target. The way we started I thought we can make it. In the second match also (against Australia) we played well, though the margin was big. Our team performed well in the subsequent games also, though defence was a big problem."

He said the team's attack has improved after Jose Brasa joined as head coach.

"There have been many differences after he took over. We have Indian coaches also. And everybody sits together and decided the strategy."

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