How did India lose to China in the Kuantan Asia Cup, a study

I happen to witness India – China hockey match at Kuantan on 12 May 09. Defending champion India had to win to reach the semis of the Asia Cup while China needed just a draw. Ultimately, India drew the match, did a favour to the Chinese while it had to cut a sorry figure going out of medal contention too early in the tournament.

Here are the reasons for Indians to draw the match, as I saw them. I may be right or wrong, but what I felt needs deeper look and debate.

Warming up before the match: a fault by the Trainer

When we arrived at Kuantan stadium – Indian team was training in afternoon heat at 1430 hrs, Trainer was making players run in swapping heat . Chinese were not even on the field.

In the second half of the match, Indians were running low on energy and Chinese were all over on field. Indian s were huffing and puffing on field and slowing down to catch their breadth .For each Indian player there were 2 Chinese players. That’s where the match was actually being lost.

Indians warming up really hard in heat before the match and no Chinese players on the pitch for warm up,

On Indian coach Harendra Singh:

Every time his strategy is to attack and attack. Very good strategy – but it is only good if he tells them how to do that!

As usual every time Indian lose or draw, he blasted his team for not playing attacking hockey.

At Kuantan too, he aired his vent on the team for not playing attacking hockey. I don’t think the team was less on the count of attacking. India did play attacking brand of hockey; even in last 50 sec India had a penalty corner, it could not have come about without attacking.

However, Indians ran out of ideas how to penetrate the ‘Great Wall’ of China.

What were Indian coach alternative – here is one – Dhanraj Pillay made enough of shouting from Indian bench – “boys put your sticks in”. Does coach tell player – how to attack? i wonder. It was obvious from first match between Pakistan and China that the Chinese won’t give space for forwards. But the lessons were not observed and followed.

Did Indian coach devise any plan to break Chinese defense. I do not think so. Indian forward had no clue.

All Indian Attack are from left or right flank, Chinese are aware of that, they simply had to block side lines and Indian forwards are clueless.

Penalty corner

Capt. Sandeep Singh scored first two goals by drag flicking ball to left high of Chinese goal keeper in first half. On 4th PC in last minutes, when Sandeep Singh was taking the flick, I said to myself, come on Sandeep do not flick on left of goal keeper. Sandeep did flick on left and Chinese GK was ready, raising his left hand in anticipation even before the ball left Sandeep’s stick, the goal was saved. Coach is answerable for that (The picture at the bottom captures how the last minute penalty corner was saved).

On Chinese Goals

Although when Indian were leading 2-1 and Pc was saved by Indians – a unnecessary foul was committed just out side the striking circle and hit was awarded to Chinese and ball was hit in the circle after back pass . There were eight Indians in striking circle and four Chinese. Still ball went between Indian defenders and one of the Chinese moved and he had to only goal keeper to beat with simplest of the task in the world for equalizing goal.

Even the first goal was a result of PC and ball rolled in slow motion over the goal line as whole Indian defense watched as if frozen.

Indian hockey needs drastic changes and it has to come at fast pace, just like ball on hockey pitch. Other wise we will need to content with qualifier only.

Video link:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2945303/asia_cup_hockey_2009_why_india_loss/