'Indian hockey forwards ready for Lanka challenge'

Indian hockey team striker Gurwinder Singh Chandi said the forward line has worked hard to iron out its flaws and be more clinical in front of goal, before facing Sri Lanka in the opening match of the 2014 Asian Games here Sunday.

"The forward line has work hard in all the weak areas which our coaches have highlighted while watching the videos of our matches during the Commonwealth Games. The team together is also working towards increasing the scoring capacity and converting the openings into goals," Chandi said.

"We are also trying out the rolling substitutions and the advancements are looking positive so far. The team is well in sync with the drills and ready to take on Sri Lanka," Chandi added.

Chandi, who made his comeback in the CWG held in Glasgow last month after a year gap due to an ankle injury, was in a confident mood ahead of the game.

"As this will be my second big tournament after my comeback in the team for CWG, I am looking forward to giving my best and trying to create as many penalty corner opportunities as I can," said the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, women's team striker Poonam Rani said that the experienced forwards in the team are helping the youngsters to get acclimatised to the four quarters format which will be applicable for the first time at the Incheon Games.

"In the forward line, we have three experienced players in Poonam Rani, Vanadana Katariya and myself, who have played more than 100 international matches and therefore it becomes our responsibility to make the young talents adapt to the international environment and the turfs as quickly as possible," said Poonam.

"We will also try our best to boost the younger ones to perform their best during the matches. Young forward Navjot Kaur has also been successful in impressing everyone with her performance in the CWG," she added.

"We are fully prepared for the new format of the game. The team has worked on its mistakes made at Glasgow and are preparing really hard during the on-field and off-field strategic sessions."