Defeat with Ireland makes India better prepared for Olympics!
Gopal Raju, Special Correspondent
August 03, 2004

You may think, Indian Hockey team went down with Ireland the world’s 23rd ranked team. In actuality India is using these matches to better prepare for the Olympics! Indian team is taking it easy, creating an impression that it is not a strong team and correcting its techniques and team coordination with series of experimentation.

According to media report :

The Indian hockey team suffered a rude jolt ahead of next week's Athens Olympics as it was humiliated 2-3 by lowly Ireland in the second of the three Tests at Cologne, Germany. Ireland scored the victory last night with striker Mark Irwin emerging the hero for the minnows scoring the winning goal in the 65th minute, according to information received on Tuesday. India had earlier won the first Test 2-0 with Gagan Ajit Singh scoring both the goals on Sunday night. "It was a fantastic display by the lads and I think we just about deserved our narrow win," Ireland manager Stephen Hiles was quoted as saying by an Irish news website. India went ahead early on but Ireland equalized on the stroke of half-time. Once again Ireland trailed when India scored after the restart but the European team, ranked 23rd in the world, drew level. The third and final test will be played later on Tuesday night. 

You should look for an excellent performance from the Indian team in the Olympic Hockey!