ACM 2009: India gifts semis to China on defensive
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India gifts semifinal to China with a defensive mindset
India conceded two goals in the second half to allow China to bounce back and claim the semifinal slot. India needed a victory, and China denied it. China’s tenacity and grit, and their ability to slow the pace of the first half, and the hold to dictate the course of the match, won the day for themselves. Only the defending champions India has to blame for themselves to get out early in the Asia Cup.
India got a penalty corner in the last minute, but Sandeep’s flick towards the centre of net was easily anticipated by China goalie who just jumped in time to deflect towards the baseline. It was last chance for India to enter the semis.
Very early in the first five minutes after lemon time, India got a couple of chance to add upto the halftime tally of two goals. First Rajpal and then Prabhjot messed up their shots. China must have certainly laughed at their luck at that point of time
But at the stroke of lemon time, India was smiling back to pavilion. Coming alive in the last five minutes of the first half, India took 2-0 lead against defensive looking China.
Sandeep Singh scored both the goals in the 31st and 34th minutes
The crucial match — India needs an outright win to make it to the semis whereas a draw is sufficient for China for the same — started on a sedate pace. Barring a couple of crosses that landed inside the circle, which the forwards could not make use of, India did not show any urgency it deserved in the first 30 minutes. This was perhaps what the Chinese wanted.
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We all expected our hockey team to qualify for the semifinals easily.But,it didn’t happen because of the careless and slow game by Indian players during the second half .I wish ,our indian team should not get carried away with the loss or win.They should fight like tigers to restore the glory of indian hockey…Let us cheer them up…Mohan
We could not make it to the semis, i personally won’t blame the players for the same as they are doing their best depending on the training, diet and facilities they get.
On the contrary, countries like China who was nowhere on the hockey map has improved tremendously due to proper training and facilities. BLAME FALLS SQUARELY ON THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE POLITICIANS who are hell bent on ruining everything India is good at. We should forget our past achievements and do a reality check. As of today we are nowhere in Hockey, IInd grade teams like New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, China are capable of beating us. It is frustrating to see that people who are at the helm are not bothered and people like us who are bothered have no authority.
WE WONT GIVE UP THOUGH AND I’M AS SURE TRUE LOVERS OF HOCKEY WHO ARE A PART OF THIS SITE WILL ENSURE THAT WE ARE BACK AT THE TOP BY 2016