New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Indian hockey team’s goalkeeping coach Dennis van de Pol believes young goalkeeper Krishan Pathak has matured enough to replace PR Sreejesh when he retires from the game.
Pathak, 25, was the standby goalkeeper alongside Sreejesh at the Tokyo Olympics. India had won a historic bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
Since then both Pathak and Sreejesh have been a regular part of the Indian team, rotating goalkeeping in the four quarters. The 34-year-old Sreejesh, who has been playing with the Indian team for the last 16 years, is on the decline of his career.
Van de Pol told PTI, “I have worked with the Indian team in the camp. In December in Bangalore, I worked with nine goalkeepers, three of whom are part of the Indian team, Sreejesh, Pathak and Suraj Karkera. And the goalkeeper of the 2019 junior team is now in the senior group, so the future is bright.
He said, “Nowadays a goalkeeper’s job is not just to stand in front of the goal. Now there are all-rounder goalkeepers. You should also be a good shot stopper and penalty corner reader. Have seen Sreejesh doing this. ,
He said that the Indian team is a strong contender to win a medal in this World Cup.
He said, “We have a good strong team. Our defense is great. The attack against England was not that great but the performance in defense was strong. Very good defense of the penalty corner.
Credit: bharat.republicworld.com /