Somaya, 57, is a member of the national hockey team that last won an Olympic medal, a gold at the 1980 Moscow Games.
Former India hockey captain MM Somaya believed that the current national team will be a serious contender for a medal in next month's Rio Olympics to end the 36-year medal drought.
Somaya, 57, is a member of the national hockey team that last won an Olympic medal, a gold at the 1980 Moscow Games. Speaking at an event to mark the beginning of the golden jubilee celebrations of Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai here on Friday, Somaya said: "The draw is favourable for the fifth-ranked India. The top four teams in each group qualify for the quarterfinals. If you go by rankings, there are three teams – Argentina 7th, Ireland 12th, Canada 15th – below India. The format is conducive to our team. I'm confident India will be a serious contender for a medal. I hope they play true to form.
"That said, India have a very tight schedule. They play five games in seven days. That will call for very high levels of fitness. But playing Ireland in the opener gives India time to settle down. They have a day's rest before Germany and The Netherlands matches," he added.
Somaya complimented India head coach Roelant Oltmans for their consistent performances in the last couple of years including a podium finish after a gap of 34 years in Champions Trophy (CT) last month.
Somaya said: "Reaching fifth rank is a great achievement. They had an outstanding CT, finishing second. In our times, when we won a bronze medal in CT (in Amsterdam, 1982), it was considered a major achievement. To win silver in CT, the coach Oltmans has done a fantastic job.
"He is one of the best coaches in business. He has got the entire understanding right. Among other things, he has changed the style of play. He has made the players truly professional. There are no major arguments with the umpire. He does the rolling substitution very well.
"What I like about Oltmans is that he can change the combination for every game based on opposition. Not only that, he changes the formation within a match, creating confusion in the opposition's minds. He has made the players versatile. Under him, there is no over dependence on one or two players. He believes in the system of play rather than an individual," Somaya said.
Besides Oltmans, Somaya believed that in PR Sreejesh, who replaced Sardar Singh as the captain for Rio, the team had an "inspirational leader".
"Under his leadership, India won CT last month. He has a great sense of command over his players. Besides, India have VR Raghunath, Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinderpal Singh, considered best in penalty corners. In the forward line, SV Sunil has shown great speed. I'm sure this team will push the other teams.
"Having said that, we sometimes get stuck in one flank. Forward line is where we need to push ourselves," Somaya said.
Somaya was also amazed at the level of fitness of the current players and also the change in their mindset. "None of them is going to merely participate in the Olympics. They are going to win. Such is the level of confidence, thanks to the top-class training they are exposed today," he said.
A big fan of the Australian style of hockey, Somaya tipped the team from Down Under to repeat their 2004 Games feat and win gold.
"They have the depth of experience. They have Mark Knowles and Jamie Dwyer making their fourth Olympic appearance, Fergus Kavanagh, Eddie Ockenden their third while six others – Chris Ciriello, Tim Deavin, Matt Gohdes, Simon Orchard, Matthew Swann, Glenn Turner – will play in their second Olympics. Australia are the most consistent team with their attacking style.
"It will be difficult for other teams to push Australia. Germany will come very strong to making it a hat-trick. Netherlands have the best goalkeeper in the world in Jaap Stockman. I see these three teams closely pushing each other for gold. But Australia are my favourites."
Somaya wanted a change in rules so that "hockey makes for good viewing". "For example, instead of the eight-second penalty shootout of one player vs goalkeeper, it could be three vs two. You could also have a rule where you keep fewer defenders in the defending area," he said.
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