Jose Brasa feels he is already half-Indian, having spent the last one week with his new wards at the Asia Cup in Kuantan. The new Indian hockey chief coach has shown his excitement, shouting from the stands during India’s matches, sharing high-fives with the players after games and making sure he greets everyone with a Namaste. At the same time, he has kept a distance from team meetings, leaving Harendra Singh in charge. Brasa talked to The Sunday Express about the team and his plans ahead. Excerpts:

•How has your experience been with the team here?

• It has been fantastic. The players, the coaches have all accepted me and welcomed me, they let me give my inputs during training. I feel at home with this bunch. I am glad I joined them here.

•Communication has always been a matter of concern when it comes to a foreign coach in India. Do you think it will be an issue with you?

• Not really. Most of the boys here understand English, and the major hockey points remain the same. But it is important to learn the local language — not to explain tactical things, but communicate and understand the psyche. It’s easy to talk to the players, but the important thing is to reach out to them. Every person thinks with his mind and with his heart. When everything is going smoothly, you talk to the mind. When a player is down, you have to talk to his heart. And you have to do it in his language because that’s what the heart understands.

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