Stick check – Not just a defeat, but a nightmare
Arjun Halappa
What can I say! A 7-3 margin is not something that can be explained in any way. That too against New Zealand whom we have beaten in eight of the last 10 encounters. It is not a defeat but a nightmare.
It is the responsibility of every player to keep himself alert, focussed and passionate. I am not saying this team lacks the desire or pride to represent the country, but there has to be more than just desire. A drive is necessary to turn that desire into reality.
Today, it was all about execution of plans. It is up to the 18 players to put that plan into action.
NO SCAPEGOATS
It would not be fair to blame any particular individual. But, there are certain things I would like to point out. Every team is here to win and so would like to put pressure on the opposition. How you absorb that pressure is up to you.
Today, we did manage to create a few chances. But every time we had the ball, we ended up playing it back among ourselves, thus increasing the pressure.
It is true that we have been trying to play short passes to create chances and keep possession but it is not a strict rule.
If something is not working, a player should have the game sense to change the pattern. We are still unable to do that.
MENTAL BATTLE
I will not say the Pakistan defeat was playing on my mind. But it might have been a factor for some.
At such times, it is imperative to have a psychologist, who can clear mental cobwebs.
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