Mercurial forwardDhanraj Pillay, hoping to play in a record fourth Olympics in August, expressedconfidence he would be selected in the Indian team to play the Athens Games.
"As long asI am fit and playing well, I am confident I will be selected. I am 100 per centfit and the training in US has benefitted me immensely. I feel fitter, my speedhas improved and have also regained some lost strength," he said.
Pillay, whoseomission from the first probables' list for the Olympics created a bigcontroversy, was recalled last month under pressure from former players andhockey fans.
The 36-year-oldformer Indian captain said that eight-time gold medallists India would definitely qualify for the semi-finals at Athens.
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Mujhedil se lagta hai ki 100 per cent hum semi-finals ke liye qualify karenge (My heart feelsthat we will definitely qualify for the semi-finals), Dhanraj said from Amsterdam.
"Look at thelast two Olympics where we came really close to winning a medal. With such anexperienced team I am confident we will do it this time. Our main aim is toperform well in the Olympics and win a medal.
Pillay was alsoconfident of a good showing in the four-nation tournament in Amsterdam, whichalso features world champions Germany, Olympic champions Holland andarch-rivals Pakistan.
"I just wantour performance to be great so that our Olympic mission can be accomplished, forwhich we have been preparing hard," he said.
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A 16-memberIndian team along with eight stand-byes will be picked for the Olympics afterthe Holland meet.
On the three weekAmerican experience, where the Indian probables underwent rigorous training at the Athletes' Performance Centrein Tempe, Arizona, Pillay said "The guys have used the opportunitywell."
The star playerwas extremely satisfied with the fitness training stint at Tempe.
"America'sbest athletes train there and we were lucky to have got a chance to be there.The trainers were really good and professional. We learnt a lot from them,"he said.
Pillay was alsovocal on the benefits of psychological training at the camp.
"We talked to them (the psychologists) abouthow we feel. They asked us to forego all negative thoughts and concentrate on what wehave to do on the field," he said.
"They gaveexamples of America's best players like ace golfer Tiger Woods and basketballicon 'Magic' Johnson and told us what these guys havesaid."
PTI
