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India

India hockey captain Dilip Tirkey says lack of coordination is the reason behind the recent dip in the team's performance.

"Our team lacks coordination and we are losing too many opportunities in the middle; we need to improve on this aspect of the game to do well," Tirkey said on the sidelines of an exhibition match in Delhi on Monday.

"We were always weak in converting penalty-corners but our strength was field goals. These days we are not able to score open goals. We are also not able to take advantage of wrong passes."

He said that the team will have to do some hard work to come out of the current slump.

"The team needs to play well in the coming tournaments.

"They [players] miss so many chances and are lacking in basics, like trapping. I have spoken with the coach regarding this," he said during the an exhibition match between an India Seniors XI and Junior XI on the occasion of Major Dhyan Chand's birth centenary.

For the record, the juniors won the match, played before empty stands, 2-1.

The IHF began its selection process for the forthcoming Champions Trophy with today's match.

"The performance of the players in today's match will be taken into account for the Champions Trophy. We want to field a strong team in the tournament," he said.

Echoing the captain views, Dhronacharya awardee and chief coach Rajinder Singh Jr said, "They keep repeating the same mistakes. Opportunities are missed quite regularly."

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