India is unpredictable, and it makes interesting

After Australia finished its league engagement, its chief coach Paul Gaudoin was asked who will he prefer in the final.

Having won first four matches, Australia made it to the finals majestically, and Friday’s match was a formality. On the other hand, with just two matches left in the league, three teams were in the fray for the Saturday final.

So, the question was all but natural.

Terming each one of them – Malaysia, India and Korea — Paul noted each one of them is good side and the Australians have to shed their casual attitude.

Despite our instruction, our team was today casual against Pakistan. Its an opportunity for the youngsters to play against Pakistan, to know their skills etc, but our boys did not do that. If they continue this, any team can trouble us”, he said.

Then he evaluated each team.

We played Malaysia in June, they have tremendously improved. Its good if they reach the final, good in the sense big crowd will turn up”. This is about Malaysia.

Then came the turn of Korea: “They are a fit side, can tire you. They play tremendously here.

On India, he said with a tinge of smile on his face: “India is unpredictable, at least here. That makes the competition unpredictable, if they are in the final, we should prepare ourselves for the unpredictable”.

Though Australia booked its place in the final as early as possible, who will play them is still in suspension. Two matches were left to complete the table. After the Australia-Pakistan match, which the later won 2-1, their first win in five matches, Korea is slated to take on winless New Zealand, and the last match is between the hosts and India.

Malaysia needs a draw to be in the final, as it has one point more than India now, whereas India needs an outright win if it entertains the ambition of playing the final of the inaugural edition.

As Paul Gaudoin rightly noted, India dramatically lost to Korea after taking 4-0 lead, and then when mattered, came on its own to defeat Pakistan comprehensively.

Can India do something dramatic or unpredictable one is a million dollar question.