Preview: Winning the opening match is vital, says Indian Men’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Harendra Singh
Breda (Netherlands), 22 June 2018: With solid ground work after two back-to-back National training camps at the Sports Authority of India, Bengaluru Campus, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team will go into their first match at the Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 on Saturday, 23 June 2018, feeling upbeat, confident and well-prepared.
Taking on arch-rivals Pakistan ranked No.13 in the world, India ranked much higher at World No.6 should have no qualms in overcoming the challenge albeit they keep their emotions in check and stick to the game plan. Chief Coach Harendra Singh put things in perspective. “Getting off to a winning start is vital because it sets the momentum for the rest of the tournament. There will be no room for emotions when we take on Pakistan. The team will play against them like any other team where we go for the three points. We have prepared well for this tournament and are confident of a good performance. Our focus will be on playing to the structure and executing our strategies against each opponent without making any errors,” asserted the experienced Indian Coach.
Over the past year, India had enjoyed convincing victories over their nemesis right from the Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 when they had beaten Pakistan in the Final. This performance was followed by a dominant double victory against Pakistan in the Hockey World League Semi Final in London 2017 and the Asia Cup in Dhaka where India lifted the title after 10 years. But at the recent XXI Commonwealth Games, the unpredictable Pakistan with most of their senior players back in the fold scored an equalizer through a PC in the 60th minute through Mubashar Ali to split the points. Incidentally, it was the first match of the tournament and PCs will be Pakistan’s preferred weapon yet again when they take on India on Saturday, 23 June 2018, at the BH & BC Stadium in Breda.
“There is no doubt we need to be smart in our defence, not allow easy penetration into the striking circle. We must avoid conceding PCs against Pakistan or Argentina who we play in the second match,” stated Harendra categorically.
On Sunday, 24 June 2018, India will take on Olympic Champions Argentina. India has played Argentina twice in the past six months. At Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017, though India held sway, they lost to Argentina by a goal (0-1) conceded through a PC in the Semi Final while at the 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup India had lost 2-3 in a close encounter. “The conditions and the team was different in both these tournaments. Argentina’s biggest strength is their PC conversion and we must be careful in our defence when we play against them,” added a confident Harendra.
On 23 June 2018, India will begin their campaign at the Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 against Pakistan at 17.30 hours IST.