KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14: India are preparing to reclaim their position among the world’s hockey elite when they face South Africa in the Champions Challenge final here on Saturday.

The winner will earn the right to play in next year’s Champions Trophy tournament in the German city of Cologne where the top six hockey nations battle for supremacy.

India are desperate to return to the top flight after struggling with the plastic playing surfaces which were introduced in the late 1970s. They have not captured any of the top prizes in world hockey since their last Olympic gold medal in 1980.

But this year they have shown signs of a revival by winning the Junior World Cup.

India’s under-fire coach Cedric d’Souza, who was lambasted after India’s stuttering start to the tournament, is now having the last laugh.

He has acknowledged many times that the hockey obsessed media in India do not rate him highly, simply because he has never played in an Olympics - unlike several previous coaches.

But he is undaunted by the publicity, preferring to stick to his own style of play which mixes the Indian flair and skill with the pragmatic European way.

d’Souza understands that in order to return to the top of the tree, India must first have a solid defence.

That is why he was delighted with the way his team fought back against Argentina on Thursday night to book their place in the final.

“We scored a brilliant winner but also defended well against a strong team like Argentina,” he said.

“Dhanraj Pillay has made a name for himself as a forward but he defended the penalty corners so well that Argentina could not properly execute their moves.”

He said the key to victory against South Africa lay with how well his team take the chances which come their way after missing several sitters in the competition.

“We have to stay focused. There is just one more match left and we have to take the chances which fall our way,” said d’Souza.

“The forwards have to be sharper while the midfield and defence have to work hard to keep South Africa out. The team is progressing nicely for next year’s World Cup.”

South Africa meanwhile have stunned everyone by reaching the last two.

Long underachievers, they skipped the last Olympics after their sports body decided the team was not good enough.

The boys have now proved them wrong and coach Rob Pullen isn’t betting against his team.

“Before coming to Kuala Lumpur, my target was a top three finish,” he said. “Now, having seen all the teams play and having reached the final, I’m confident of victory.

Malaysia take on Argentina in the third place playoff.—AFP