New Delhi, Feb 10 - Ignace Tirkey was there in Santiago when eight times Olympic hockey champions missed qualifying for the Games in Beijing for the first time in 80 years. The linkman doesn't want another heartbreak this time.

Now a senior pro and only one of the two players in the squad - the other being Sandeep Singh - with the experience of playing in the Olympics, Ignace has a clear idea of what his role would be in the qualifiers starting Feb 18.

Ignace said his job will be to mark not only the opponents but also to coordinate and synchronise plans with his own teammates.

"I play generally as a left half but now I am enjoying my second role as a full back. My job is to be a buffer between the defence and the linkmen. This clear demarcation of my role has not only made things clear for me but it has also put a lot of responsibility on me to marshal forces without the chain breaking down," Ignace told reporters after a practice session here Friday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Ignace said since there are lot of new faces in the side, he has to communicate with them constantly during the match.

"We have lot of new faces who have experience of playing just 20-30 matches. So I have to communicate with them constantly during the match. Today man marking is very important in modern hockey and I have to make sure that the boys don't lose their man," he said.

Ignace, who was member of the 2004 Athens Olympics squad, said former captain Dilip Tirkey's presence has been a boon for the squad.

"He experience is helping us a lot. Dilip is teaching the defenders not to rush and commit, think coolly before making an attempt. In such a situation, you can always have a chance of catching up with your opponent," he said.

Ignace said qualifying for the Olympics will boost the national sport.

"Qualifying for the Games this year is very important for the survival of hockey, for its future. I am confident we will do it this time. We have self belief. We will give our everything. Once we qualify, it would give hockey a new lease of life and many young players will take up the game in future," he said. (IANS)