HWL 2015: Match No.1 India Vs Argentina

SWOT analysis of India-Argentina match

War strategist Sun Tzu’s said:

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor your self, you will succumb in every battle.

The recent Australia series fits Sun Tzu’s second rule.

The above three rules will determine the outcome of India’s first encounter billed for today.

ARGENTINA

Strength: Gonzallo Peillat and Lucas Vila are in form. Argentinean forwardline line better organised than India. At Bhubneswar in the Champions trophy, Joaquine Menini’s crosses and connection sunk India. Most players have more than a hundred caps, the team is cohesive. At 36, Juan Vivaldi is among the world’s best goalies. They open up game, sharp on wings. Their weapon is lightening parallel crosses. They can play both Asian and European styles.

Weakness: Team is at times brittle. In the Pan -American Games bottom placed Cuba struck 4 goals in all 3 in the second half alone. The old guards perhaps lacks fitness.

Opportunity: Despite being higher ranked India could not beat Argentina in the recent times. Some of the players are HIL materials, they will try hard here to showcase their game to impress and get into HIL hall of heroes.

Threats: Gap in the performance between old players and new comers. They have to play not only against Indian team but highly vociferous Raipur crowd. Indians are a motivated side now compared to Bhuvaneswar. India is no longer on transformation stage but a cohesive unit.

Key players: Lucas Villa, Gonzallo Peillat.

INDIA
Strength: India is a settled team. They do not concede too many penalty corners. Rupinder and V. Raghunath got their rhythm back in their special area of PCs. Now a rejuvenated side, due to their higher rank, which is reflected the way they engaged Australia in the recent series. Scoring capabilities of forwards show marked improvement. Vibrant and confident back line sorted out some recurring problems.

Weakness: India still is slow starter. They seem to lose the games, not in
the field but in their mind. A ” Sandy Gordon ” is yet join the team. In the forward line Sunil
is speedy but lacks precision. Back passing created two goals in Australia test series. In a crowded D, clearance is still unsatisfactory.

Opportunity: Crowd factor gives an edge over visitors. This team concede less PCs which will negate Peillat factor. Victory in the last match gives enormous confidence to team.

Threat: Expectations of the crowd, media, general public are very high. This adds pressure on players. Therefore, first match will be crucial. Lethargy in backline in fourth quarter is a
problem to be tackled. Main strikers should go for field goals rather than going for penalty corners. Complacency should not show up.

Key players: Sardar Singh and PR Sreejesh

Let us hope India fits to war strategist Sun Tzu’s first rule.