S. Thyagarajan

Bangkok: That a grand finish is forecast for the seventh edition of the Asia Cup hockey championship for women on Sunday is stating the obvious. Both India and China, which will be contesting for the glittering trophy, are combinations capable of injecting an element of drama and excitement to the decider.

With spots for the next World Cup at Rosario (Argentina) decided at the end of the semifinals, the finalists are free to play their best to regain the prize.

While India has to pick up the threads from 2004 when it won against Japan by a solitary goal scored by Jasjeet Kaur, for China there has been a long break since 1989.

India’s record to the run-up to the final is far more impressive than that of China. With a tally of 30 goals against the 27 by China, the Indians looked better placed to top the pool but for the surprise draw against Malaysia in a crucial match. This was India’s poorest performance in the event.

But the team surpassed expectations with a show that will remain etched in memory for long. The style and system exhibited against the three-time champion Korea in the semifinals on Friday was exemplary. If that inspiration continues, then India can write a different script on Sunday.

What gave India’s performance against Korea a touch of glow was the combination displayed by the attack. The two goals by Jasjeet Handa, whose form in the earlier matches raised eye-brows, and the one spectacular shot by Rani Rampal. Even Surinder Kaur caught the eye with her dodges that carried an element of charm as did Saba Anjum and Mamta Kharb.

In the mid-field, both Asunta Lakra and Dipika Thakur showed a rare streak of consistency, not looking hassled at any point of time.

Outstanding saves

No analysis is complete without the mention of the showing by goal-keeper Dipika Murty, whose saves from penalty corners against the dreaded Seul Ki Cheon were outstanding.

India, it may be recalled, lost to China 2-4 in the bronze medal contest in the last edition at Hong Kong in 2007.

With such credentials as a silver medal in the last Olympics, China is a powerhouse in the continent and as such cannot be taken lightly.

It is a combination that comes up with something very ingenuous at the right moment. Comprised of seasoned stars like Ma Yibo, Fu Rong and Ma Wei, the Chinese can take the contest in their hands at any time in the 70 minutes and write a different script.

The results: Classification matches: 10-11: Thailand 3 (Kannika Lewwrungroj 2, Sukanya Ritngam) bt Sri Lanka 1 (Dinesha Ameeta Perera); 7-8: Hong Kong 2(Barbara Helen, Christie-Anna Ozorio) bt Singapore 0.

5-6: Malaysia 2 (Sitrahmah Othman 2) bt Kazakhstan 1 (Gunnari Mangalieva) HT 1-1

Sunday’s matches: 3-4: Korea v Japan (2 p.m.); Final: India v China (4-30 p.m.).