THE Korea-Pakistan draw in the Junior Asia Cup means that India’s opponents in the last four stage will be decided only on Monday.
However, a semi-final face-off between the archrivals is likely, except for an upset Bangladesh win over Pakistan in their last league match. And both India and Pakistan are prepared for it “We are mentally prepared to play India in the semi-finals,” admitted Pakistan coach Kamran Ashraf. “When we came here, we were hoping to play them in the final, but now the scenario is different. So we will play accordingly,” he added.
Ashraf also admitted that, given the way his team played against Korea on Sunday, they would have raise their game against hosts India.
“When India and Pakistan face off, there is no question of tactical advantage. It’s all about nerves and the team that remains more composed wins.”
India coach AK Bansal, however, remained non-committal. “We have six points, but I know that what my boys will have to play far, far better than what they have, so far,” he said.
“There is one more match to go before the last four stage, so it would be premature for me to say anything, but there is nothing to choose from between the two teams. The one that plays better will win.” In tune with the times ASHRAF, though, is frank in his admiration for the Indian team, and prefers the two teams playing each other more, but not for their skills alone. Instead, he wants a balance between the amount of hockey being played by the two teams against each other and the Europeans.
“The (present) Indian coach and Indian players are different from what we have traditionally seen. Their warm-up, their game plan and their tactics are much more in tune with the times.
“For me, the ideal situation would be if the one where both teams play each other to help players develop mentally strength and play the Europeans to learn from their tactical superiority.”