Goal scorers hog the media headlines. They deserve for whatever it is worth. But who gets the team the victory? Its team game its difficult to see things in fragmented way. Yet, the question comes to mind often as one watches the Indian game here in Kakamigahara Asia Cup.

The context or climax is India-Japan semifinal. Indian goal tenders — forwards and drag flickers – struck thrice in the first ten minutes and then went into a silent mode.

Who then got us the victory?

Its Indian defence. Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Sushila Chanu and Gurjit Kaur are guarding the Indian citadel with great zeal and enthusiasm. Between them they could forge an impregnable Indian wall that is delivering results for India.

Deep Grace Ekka is a daredevilry kind of stuff. She is brave. Sushila Chanu could so far summon her experience whenever the team came under high press, as happened in the third quarter in the semis.

New Women’s coach Harendra Singh is pleased with his team, especially the defence.

“They listen to coaching. They are sincere. Sushila Chanu in fact is a personality of her own. When she asserts the others in the team get the right kind of message and motivation”.

“Seniors in the team are in fact sub-coaches. They have to assert, guide, and prove their mettle by their own form on the field. Then only teams win. Am happy to have players of Sushila’s mould in the team. There are some others in other sections. They inspire. The team played like champions in the first quarter. And then they were excited, lost the kind of maturity and coolness needed. The team came under continued pressure for the rest of the game. Goalkeepers, defenders and the midfield held their nerves, and kept things under control”, explained the nuances of Indian victory over hugely talented home team in the semis.

On goalkeeping side, Savita Punia is a girl possessed. Her anticipation, patience, and reflexes are seen to be believed. She made breathtaking saves when needed against both Malaysia and Japan, only teams that presented challenge to India so far.

Its goalies Savita Punia and Rajani Etimaparu and the defence that drive India in the ongoing Asia Cup where India fielded two new comers, had to miss two veterans – Deepkia and Poonam Rani — due to injury.
“At present both Savita and Rajani are Asia’s best. I can definitely say this”, Coach Harendra assessed.

Defenders have delivered results silently. They have no qualms who gets the limelight or whose name comes on the scoresheet. These are never their concern. They coolly do what they are asked to by the coach, and coolly give the country its moments of happiness.

These silent warriors need our appreciation. If they can deliver their stuff one more day, the Cup is India’s