Composure will be the key for India in the semifinal face off

India has a mountain to climb when it faces off inform Malaysia in the first semifinals of the seventh Asia Cup underway in Malacca, Malaysia.

Despite having some wonderful talents in its arsenal, India has somewhat been sedate at times, less opportunistic in the circle, and seems to be brittle too. India was lucky to draw Pakistan – their second goal that sealed the fate of the match was freak one, tripping between the legs of the goalie, and got unsighted before just crossing the dreaded white line in the cage — and then China encounter was a touch and go affair.

Malaysia on the other hand is consistent, though it must be conceded that after securing the semis berth, it struggled against Japan.

What would help Malaysia is the home crowd and the confidence of the team. There is crowd here, there is an atmosphere here. Each goal the home team tried, struck, missed reverberate with wide reaction, and the crowd is vocal, enthusiastic and has that great potential to turn even a mundane into something vibrant. Malaysia is a vibrant side, though young the boys have been together for quite some years, and are battled hardened.

I don’t think any other Asian junior team would have traveled and gained experience as much as the Malaysians. Both at home and away. India too spend quite a lot of energy and money on the juniors but all the good works fall flat when the team is selected.

That’s why we have an experienced outfit in Malaysia and the reverse with respect to the India which somehow seeks to make a hat-trick.

It is not to say India does not have in it what it takes to make a match of it today.

If somehow the Malaysia does not score in the first phase, say within 20 minutes or so, and if the Indian defence would be able to contain their really good forwards, which is certainly a task in itself to Amit Rohidas and company, Malaysia in this situation has to show enormous composure to come out of the crowd pressure. At this stage either you outgun or lose steam.

Its here India has the advantage. It can play a wait and watch game. There is no pressure on them as they are surely Thursday’s underdogs.

Encounters of these two countries have of late been very much explosive, as we have seen in the Johor Cup’s last league match.

India, despite taking the first goal, did not show enough sportsmanship, even a scorer showing off to the crowd in bad taste, and then when confronted with a few umpiring decisions which they thought were not correct, lost the cool. And with that the match.

India need to show its magnanimity and sporting values especially when confronts the hosts on the turf.

Mukesh Kumar’s team in Johor Cup did not rise to the standard expected, it was somewhat indisciplined, lost out on mental inability and arrogance. It went perhaps went overboard after defeating Pakistan comprehensively before engaging the hosts.

The Indian team here in Malacca certainly scores better on these counts. There is no crowding of the umpires, less individualistic, but is short of experience. For most Indians here its their maiden international tournament.

Most of them are of course standbys when the Sultan of Johor Cup was selected.

It shows. Forwards panic and fumble at the open cage, and then the penalty corner is again an Achilles heel.

Simply put it, India needs to play a patient game, wait for their chances, leaving their rivals to act.

If India can maintain its mental composure, they can make a match of it. Else, Malaysia are the clean favourites.