New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Indian team's eighth place finish in the Hockey World Cup may be disappointing to their fans, but International Hockey Federation chief Leandro Negre feels there is a marked improvement in their performance.

Negre said India should be patient with their hockey team and have faith in Spanish coach Jose Brasa.

'I saw the Indian team in the Champions Challenge tournament at Salta, Argentina, and there is huge improvement in their game in the World Cup. It is a positive sign for Indian hockey,' said Negre, a former Spanish goalkeeper.

'They are making some small mistakes, particularly in defence, but they will get better.'

'They won only one match here like the last time, but they are a better outfit now. If they can improve so much in such a short time since the Champions Challenge, I am sure their graph will only go up from here on.'

'They can't step up their game overnight. You have to give them time because it is very difficult to beat the top teams, ' he said.

Negre also said the World Cup this time round has been quite competitive and the gap between the teams has narrowed.

'I have been following the World Cups all my life and the gap between the teams has been reduced.

'If you leave one or two matches, every match in this World Cup was close. In most of the matches, there was tough competition. The top teams are not having it easy and that's a good sign,' he said.