In Australia, India face toughest challenge in Azlan Shah Cup

Out of title reckoning, a misfiring India would look to redeem some pride with an improved performance in their last league match but it would be easier said than done against world champions Australia in the 24th Azlan Shah Cup, here tomorrow.
The Azlan Shah Cup was not only new chief coach Paul van Ass' maiden assignment after taking charge of the Indian team but also kick-started the country's preparations for next year's Rio Olympics.
But going by the performances so far, it is clear that India have a lot of work to do to become a competitive force in the Olympics, for which they have already secured a direct berth by winning a gold in last year's Incheon Asian Games.

India have crashed out of the title race here after garnering just four points with one scrappy win and a draw out of four matches.
On the other hand, the Kookaburras, who are defending their title here, are on a roll and have sealed their final berth by registering four victories out of as many games.
The last time both the teams faced each, the result went in favour of Australia who sneaked a narrow 2-1 win over India to finish third in the FIH Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar in December.

And tomorrow's match gives India an opportunity to avenge that loss.

But looking at India's performance in this tournament, it looks a distant dream and only time will tell if Van Ass' wards have it in them to lift their spirits and salvage a positive result.
If they can at least hold Australia if not win tomorrow, it will act as a huge morale-booster for India, who were without a coach since October last year after Australian Terry Walsh's unceremonious exit.
Van Ass took charge of the team barely four weeks ago and it would be unrealistic to expect a miracle performance from the Dutchman in his maiden assignment.
From day one, Van Ass has been looking at the Azlan Shah Cup to garner as much information as possible about the team and his real test would be the World League Finals at home in December this year.