PTI

New Delhi, May 6: Entrusted with the task of reviving Indian hockey, newly-appointed coach of the men's hockey team Jose Brasa on Tuesday said his immediate target was to get the gold medal in next year's Guangzhou Asian Games.

"My realistic goal is the gold in Asiad because it will ensure India's place in 2012 London Olympics. Moreover, I love the colour yellow very much," Brasa said after reviewing the progress work of the National Stadium here along with FIH President Leandro Negre, Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi among others.

Brasa, under whose guidance Spain's women's team won the gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, however, seemed realistic about his new assignment and agreed with former Indian hockey's technical advisor Ric Charlesworth's view that a coach could not make or break a team's fortune in a day or two.

"I can't assure you results now, it will take time. Charlesworth was true that to make good team it needs four years. We (coaches) are not magicians. Results will come only after putting a lot of hard work," he stated.

Brasa, an International Hockey Federation's (FIH) master coach, is also prepared for the challenge and said his immediate task at hand is to study every single Indian player and take note of their positives and negatives.

"I am very happy to pass my knowledge. But first I shall watch, analyse and then test the players. I will test each player carefully and then develop specific plans for them," Brasa said.

The 55-year-old coach, who intends to incorporate a modern and scientific approach to revive Indian team's sagging fortune, said that Indian players, skill-wise, are second to none and the eight-time Olympic champions best weapon is their traditional style of playing the game.

"Indian players are best in the world in attacking hockey. We must not tinker with that and give them free will to play attacking game. Defence is a matter a concern but we will work upon it," said Brasa, who has been handed a two-year contract till the Asian Games in Guangzhou in November next year.

"A coach must take a route and understand what is best for the team and individual player. I will try to support and help the players because they are the key of any sport. What a coach can provide is only help without interfering in their game," he added.

Asked whether limited say in team selection and outside interference in his style of working is a matter of concern for him, he said, "I don't think so. We have been talking about that (his authority in team selection) and I am sure we will mutually work out the matter.