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No taking Japan lightly

With less than a day left for the fifth Asia Cup Hockey tournament to get under way, the Indian team is raring to go.

Runners-up in all the four editions of the tournament, India begin their campaign tomorrow at the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur against a relatively unknown quantity in Japan.

Indian hockey hasn't had the best of times in the recent past, with disastrous performances on away tours. However, the Asian Games champions have the comfort of knowing that they have beaten every team in the tournament at some time or the other. Their path to the semi-finals looks relatively easy, considering that they have been drawn into the easier of the two groups, and the only serious opposition in the group should come from hosts Malaysia.

The other group has Pakistan and Asian Games runners-up South Korea.

The winner of the tournament qualifies for the 2002 World Cup and that should be the added incentive to perform well. This being the only major tournament before the Indian team goes to the Sydney Olympics in 2000, a good performance will go a long way in boosting confidence ahead of the big event.

On paper the Indians look a well-moulded outfit, but the forward line will have to deliver because goals is what will matter most. With the return of the talented but tempremental Dhanraj Pillay, the attack has received a shot in the arm. But it remains to be seen how youngsters Deepak Thakur and Gagan Ajit Singh along with skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon combine well with the Mumbai maestro.

At 31, Pillay's staying power is not what it used to be and it is likely that coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran will use him in short spells to unsettle rival defences.

''All the boys are in good shape and the camp has helped them with their fitness. We will play our best team and are looking to get picked in the FIH eleven," said Bhaskaran after the team's work-out seession.

In the absence of midfield genius Mohammed Riaz, Baljit Saini will take up the responsibility of playmaker, and, in all probability, Jude Menezes will keep goal for India. He has improved with every outing, and is younger and fitter that the other keeper Edward Aloysious.

Not much has been seen of the Japanese team in recent times and it will be foolish to take them lightly. Coach Bhaskaran knows that very well and has told his boys to go all out and score as many goals as possible in order to get their act together for their next match against Malaysia the 20th.