Ric Charlesworth has seen hockey evolve within the final six a long time. From a participant to a legendary coach, the 70-year-old has been there executed all of it with a number of groups and is now at the moment an assistant to one among his personal wards. The Australian is helping Alyson Annan in teaching the Chinese girls’s hockey group.
Currently, Charlesworth is in India as a commentator for Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the World Cup. In an interview, Charlesworth, who had a stint in India in guiding the group round 2008-09, mentioned the continuing World Cup, the altering scene in modern-day hockey, India’s success on the Olympics amongst different subjects. Excerpts:
From Bhubaneswar 2018 to Odisha 2023, what variations are you seeing in play, within the groups?
It remains to be slightly bit early to inform. Australia remains to be slightly bit rusty. They have not had sufficient competitors (because of Covid). We noticed the worth of competitors as a result of regardless that Argentina received solely one among their eight Pro League video games, they’re fairly hardened and organised. All groups look comparable. There was once a giant distinction between Asian groups and Europeans and Australia. It appears to me we now have globalisation in hockey. Interestingly India is beginning to improve their perception and play their means. They have launched plenty of the issues that had been wanted when it comes to defending higher. They nonetheless have very skillful gamers and in the event that they belief in the best way they play then they’ll problem anyone.
What was your response when India received the bronze at Tokyo?
I wasn’t stunned. I all the time thought it was potential. In the bronze medal match that they had a little bit of fortune however they saved scoring objectives. If you are able to do which you could win any time. In the semi-final they had been very aggressive. When I used to be in India in 2008 working with the federation, I had stated it’s a 10-year venture if you wish to be on the rostrum. Many of the weather that had been put in place over that time frame had a variety of various coaches. You began with Jose Brasa, Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh. India made steps. The Hockey India League was crucial. It was just like the IPL. They began to understand worldwide gamers solely have two arms and two legs and nothing particular. That perception grew over the last decade.
How are you wanting on the World Cup?
There are six groups that may win right here. Germany, Belgium, Holland, Australia, England and India. The quarter-finals will reveal the place we’re at.
What do you consider this crossover format? Would you like direct quarter-finals?
It is best and extra inclusive. It provides you a prime 12 reasonably than a prime 8. Sometimes anyone could have an aberration, slip up in pool matches. I’m not essentially a fan of quarter-finals which I really feel are created for upsets. I actually want to see change in these vital one-off matches the place we should always play additional time after which go to a shootout.
You’ve labored with India chief coach Graham Reid. What do you consider his stint with India?
He was my assistant for six years so I do know him very effectively. We performed collectively and I used to be a referee when he was an applicant for a job in India. He has executed a superb job. More than something the Covid interval was very tough. He’s been persistent and also you’re seeing the rewards of that. A little bit of stability in teaching is one thing India hasn’t had. He is aware of what’s required and he is performed and coached groups which might be profitable at this degree.
Are India closing the hole to the most effective on this planet?
I noticed India play Belgium in Europe final yr and there was nothing (between them). It is nearly like India have had a factor with Australia greater than anyone else. I coached Australia that received 8-0 within the New Delhi Commonwealth Games. But should you watch that recreation, it was 0-0 after 20 minutes and really aggressive. What we noticed in Australia was India scored objectives however Australia had been scoring too many. Here with a crowd, if India can get a begin they are going to be onerous to cease. Sometimes variations are usually not as nice as scores point out.
