Coach downplays loss, says team will comeback hard

LAHORE, Dec 4 (UNI): Indian hockey coach Gerhard Rach today downplayed the humiliating 0-4 defeat against Spain in their opening match at the 26th Champions Trophy hockey tournament and said it would be unfair to dismiss the chances of his team as they were "capable of turning the tables on any opponent".

"I admit, there were some defense lapses which cost us dearly but I do not see any reason to dismiss the team's chances so early.

We have four more matches and will definitely come up with a much-improved performance," Rach observed.

When asked about the reason for team's disastrous performance, the coach said, "The turf was new and fast and it was quite difficult for the team coming from Chandigarh to deliver the goods straightaway," he noted.

On the proceedings of the match, Rach said the team did quite well to hold their opponent to a goal-less first half but the split in the defense was wide open in the second half.

"Too many errors and lapses in the second half cost us the match," he added.

The coach, however, did not blame the goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan for the defeat.

"He couldn't have done anything better," he noted.

On tomorrow's match, Rach said Germay would be a tough opponent and the match would test the strength and character of the team.

"I am hopeful, I am optimistic," was his one-liner when asked whether he saw any realistic chances of India defeating Germany.