By K. ARUMUGAM

In a strange world subdued by the COVID – 19 pandemic, the two arch-rivals will hope to rekindle some of the vigour of the past in the Asian Champions Trophy at the Maulana Bhasani stadium in Dhaka. Both teams are in a rebuilding mode but with contrasting statures. India, who won an Olympic medal after 41 years at the Tokyo 2020 have rested several of the team which took bronze in an effort to consolidate in the next Olympic cycle. Pakistan, whose freefall has deprived them of playing in the last two Olympics and seen them occupy lowly 18th spot in the FIH rankings are trying to climb up the rungs.

For all that, the two nations are joint holders of the trophy which was shared at Muscat in 2018 after incessant rain washed out the final.

One of their latest encounter was at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta in the bronze medal clash won by India. The score 2-1 and for all Pakistan’s travails, it was a keenly fought encounter which the Green Shirts were a trifle unlucky to lose. It must be said, however, that India were deflated by a shootout defeat to Malaysia after leading by a goal with less than two minutes to go in regulation time.

Both played each other last is at the Asian Champions Trophy where India rode high with a 3-1 win at Doha amidst a good Pakistan immigrants’ vociferous support.

IN THE LAST 10 YEARS:

By and large India was overwhelmingly beating their arch rival in the period in discussion. Even when India fielded its second string teams, as in the case of Guwahati South Asian Federation Games, full team of Pakistan struggled to contain India (1-0, 2-1).  However, Pakistan showed its brilliance in the 2014 Champions Trophy when it beat India (4-3) and again in 2019 Olympic Qualifier double header when it drew The Netherlands, conceding the equalizer in the last moments. Except these two worthies, Pakistan was a subdued fighter in all other cases. For instant, India beat Pakistan with  tennis like score in the HWL Semifinals at Amsterdam twice.

Over all, India and Pak played 35 matches from 2010 to till date with India winning 19, drawing 8 and leaving just 8  wins for the neighbour. The eight Pak wins include two wins over India in the SAF Games, where India fielded its second team.

BACK TO DHAKA

Here in Dhaka, India were held to a 2-2 draw in their opener against South Korea after leading 2-0. Yellow cards collected in the third and fourth quarters proved crucial and the Koreans grabbed the opportunity to deprive India points.

The team think-tank have acknowledged the tendency to pick up cards – something that marred the campaign at Tokyo and even that of the Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar recently where the team finished fourth.

In the next match against Bangladesh, third-ranked India, coached by Australian Graham Reid, took time to break the crowded defence of the hosts who stood up bravely to their illustrious opponents’ waves of attack and rash of penalty corners.

But once on the scoreboard, the floodgates opened and a 9-0 victory ensued. Young forward Dilpreet scored three goals and PC variations saw Jarmanpreet score twice to break the shackles.

Harmanpreet, the drag-flick expert notched brace as well and the veteran Lalit Kumar got on to the scoresheet as well via a PC deflection. Mandeep Mor scored the other goal – his first in international hockey. Akashdeep Singh, left out of the Olympic squad, also netted one and is going to be a key factor against Pakistan.

PR Sreejesh, the iconic goalkeeper whose heroics had much to do with the Tokyo podium finish has been rested and his young deputies Suraj Karkera and Krishan Pathak have alternated over quarters.

The clash, despite the lack of media attention of the past, will still bring pressure upon pressure and the last line of defence will be tested to the fullest.

And speaking of goalkeepers – Pakistan Mazhar Abbas won the player of the match award in a goalless draw with Japan in their opener despite arriving in Dhaka less than 24 hours earlier because of visa problems. He stood up well against the waves of Japanese attacks but was lucky to keep his goal intact on the dot of full-time when Japanese ace Kenta Tanaka shot wide from point-blank range.

Under new head coach Siegfried Aikman of The Netherlands, Pakistan showed a tighter defense than one is used to seeing. Ummar Bhutta, the midfield stalwart, held the team together with his wealth of experience spanning more than a decade and his presence will count for a lot.

The lack of international exposure spanning a little more than three years will be a hurdle Pakistan will need to cross against their high-flying rivals who have tasted action in the FIH Pro League which took them to Argentina, along with a tour of Europe where they cross swords with Germany and Great Britain.

But dismiss Pakistan at your own peril. Despite the odds they came within seconds of beating the formidable Netherlands in an Olympic qualifier in Amstelveen which ended 4-4. However, the Dutch won 6-1 the next day to clinch a spot in Tokyo. So, it all depends on which Pakistan team will show up on the morrow.

India, on their part, have to iron out some rough edges to maintain their status of favourites on paper.

NOTE:

Exactly 4 days less than seven years ago, Pakistan beat India (Champions Trophy 3-4, BBSR). India did not lose any single match to Pak thereafter except twice when India fielded its B team in the SAF Games.