Exciting matches in men’s category of field hockey await fans today in the Jakarta Asian Games. Sunday will see six matches — all teams in fray again — but the focus will definitely be on the last two matches involving top contenders from either pool. Defending champions India will take on South Korea in the fifth match (Pool A),
while last encounter will see Pakistan – Malaysia in action in the other Pool.
All these four teams have won all their three matches so far, but will try to keep up the unblemished record in tact. At least two teams will be losers, even dra will amount to virtual losing for a team, which will make the pool standing interesting.
Both these two matches are crucial as winner in each contest will top the pool and thus the cross over semi-finalist will be identified. If the present form is any indication, India should defeat South Korea, as did their distaff counterparts yesterday, and top the pool A. India has an amazing plus 51 goal difference while Korea which also did not concede a goal so far, has 34 goal difference. Despite Japan will have two more matches to complete, the emerging picture is that Korea-India are the semi-finalist from Pool A.
Japan are the top contenders in women’s section is another matter.
Both Pakistan and Malaysia too are going strong so far. Defeatless and amassing goals, both sides have shown their mettle to other teams in the pool, but when the two giants in the same pool meet today, sparks are expected fly.
Interstingly enough, top two teams in Pool B will try to avoid India, and will go in full throttle to avoid finishing second. To top the pool will be top priority for Pakistan to avoid India, which is ranked rungs above it.
Fans here are not less. Saturday saw two third full on the main gallery. India will certainly have chunk of them supporting if today’s gathering is any indication.
Yesterday, hardly a couple of Korean fans have to face a huge Indian fans.
Whatever, hockey will be in full flow today.