Preview: India Match No.1 Vs Ireland

Preview: India need confident start against No Excuse team

Both have analogous colours in their tricolour national flag. The difference is just the disposition. One’s flag is horizontally disposed while the other’s vertically.

But which one will fall flat and who will stand out after today’s match is exactly the kind of curiosity that is in store in today’s hockey fixture in Rio.

Colours may be same – Red, white and Green — but India and Ireland have different stakes at Rio, as they lock horn on the opening day of hockey competition at Deorado Park, men’s category commences first for a change.

India is there for seeking resurrection while Ireland would like to commence a chapter.

Ireland and India present two extremes of a canvass: Indians have missed the Olympics only once after making debut in 1928 but the Irish had missed all these Olympics. They played only once that happening before India making its maiden Olympics.

While Irish justifiably seeks to build a hockey nation back home, their rivals today is making yet another attempt since winning gold at Moscow, to regain what irritatingly called ‘Lost Glory’.

The first match therefore will be watched closely and will set the tune for both on what will transpire in the coming week.

Irish, as they had no big experience as that of Rio, have decided not to take recourse to excuse. It is reported that the present Irish team’s daily war cry is ‘No Excuse’.

This shows their attitude. Indians used to have a problem in the openers. This can work advantageous to the Irish.

Both sides are fitter, faster and opportunistic. Irish in their ranks have a mesmerising goalie in David Harte, who is already a familiar name in the sub-continent being a notable member of Hockey India League team.

He is about 10 caps more experienced than counter part team’s goalie. Indian team looks forward to Sreejesh for guidance and his form may make or mar their chances. He is captain and shoulders additional responsibility. David on the other hand is left to handle his cage.

Both teams have brought more defenders than midfielders or forwards. It gives a glue as to their format and resolve not to concede easy goals.

Insofar as defence is concerned, which includes goalie, both teams are well balanced. India has an upperhand in the midfield. Manpreet Singh, Devinder Walmiki, Sardar Singh and Danish is solid.

Ireland’s medio Eugene Magee , with 200 plus caps, will have a job on hand to control the Indian not gaining pace in the midfield.

The match will be decided by the extent of opportunism both sides will show today.

India’s Saturday rival has no pressure being the lowest ranked team, seven rungs below.

Despite rankings, the team that keeps calmness and character in all quarters will emerge victorious.

India needs a confident start, as starts have an Achilles’s heels in the past, to move with confidence for the remainder of the task.