Crucial test awaits for Indian women as it takes on continental super powers South Korea today in the semifinal of the Asian Games.
For long, Korea-India contest have been a touch and go affair, but since last 4,5 years Korea has been overwhelming Indian girls on all forums.
Despite not the kind of force once it was, Korea could still put aside India due to the fact that Indian women have been openly under-performing.
Devoid of a domestic structure, and also a sound three- layer national teams – often same players represent both senior and junior teams – coupled with the fact that foreign coaches try to put in a system that is so far anathema to the traditional mindset of players, Indian girls seemed to be eternally struggling. Indian women are now seeking retrieval of lost identity.
Today therefore is a day of reckoning for them.
A win here would pave way for the final where China or Japan could be their last hurdle in getting the elusive Asian Games gold.
Indian girls won the Asian Games gold when the discipline was introduced in 1982. It was India’s gift to the world of hockey that it introduced women’s hockey when it hosted the Asian Games.
Since them much water has flowed down the Ganges and Yamuna.
Indian performance in Incheon have been one of satisfaction, though not outstanding.
It struggled against Thailand, since then obvious upward trend, culminating in big rout of Malaysia.
Not after defeating Korea in the semifinals of the Asia Cup in 2009 in Bangkok, did India have much to show against the continental topper team.
However, the picture is not bleak altogether for Indian girls. Veterans in the team captain Ritu Rani, Rani Ramphal, Vandana Kataria and recalled star Deepika Thakur knew well the Korean girls strength and weaknesses.
Korean side, with all their strength, are brittle in nature. They structure of play go hayware once the rival team take early lead or their defence is impregnable.
Therefore India need to play a patient game, wait for their opportune moment.
Jaspreet Kaur, with her immense quality as a penalty corner striker, need to come up trumps.
The changed format of 15 minutes of four quarters play evenly out to both teams.
Indian girls have to muster enough confidence in them and face the rival. Without confidence in them, things may not work for the Indian girls.
Coach Mark Hagwood and his deputy CR Kumar are with the team for a long time now, and must be aware of how to use the resources.
Fans meanwhile will have a rich fare as the top two teams of the Asia clash today in the semis.
The semifinal will be telecast live by Ten Sports 15.30 hrs