Days of Indian domination are over, warns coach

India and the rest of hockey's traditional powers have lost their stranglehold over the sport, according to Indian coach Cedric D'Souza.

He was speaking on Wednesday following a recent World Cup qualifying tournament.

"The disparity between the top six teams and others is not there anymore. It is not going to be easy for teams like India in major events," he said.

The Indian men's team struggled in Edinburgh before finishing fifth to claim a berth for next year's World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

The eight-time Olympic champions entered the tournament as favourites but lost to eventual winners Argentina and Poland.

The performance was another low for a side who have not won a world-level event since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

India finished ninth in the last World Cup in the Netherlands and seventh in the Sydney Olympics.

Poland, who held India 1-1 in Sydney, went one better in Edinburgh, winning 2-1 to finish third, with Belgium fourth. Argentina caused an upset by beating Spain in the final.

D'Souza said: "Due to many experienced players retiring, there is a lot of fresh blood in every side."

He said his side had failed to shine in attack or defence, while opponents had packed their rearguards to neutralise the Indians.

D'Souza said the World Cup was now his priority and winning a qualifying event in New Delhi later this year for the six-nation Champions trophy.

"We have the potential and there is a pool of 45 players we are moulding. But the fans expect results far too soon. Even if we come fifth or sixth, it will be a step forward."

Field hockey, once regarded as the flag-bearer for Indian sport, has lost popularity in the last two decades.

Veteran striker Dhanraj Pillay, meanwhile, has been axed for the Azlan Shah Cup international tournament starting in Malaysia on Thursday after refusing to attend a preparatory camp.

But D'Souza said he was looking forward: "We blooded eight to nine youngsters at Edinburgh which was appreciated by many. We never used to have such an outlook in the past."