Before the Indian men’s hockey team left the shores for Rio mission, the minimum (un)stated objective was to finish third in the pool, certainly not fourth, in order to avoid world number one team Australia in the first knock-out.
India thus relied on the first ever Olympic Quarters format to set its target higher.
The objective in physical terms was not achieved. With a draw in the last pool engagement, India could finish only fourth.
However, India avoided encountering Australia in the first knock out.
In absolute terms, India achieved its minimum target of avoiding Australia in the quarters. It hardly matters whether it was accomplished by design or default.
This is a matter of anybody’s conjecture.
Now, the stark reality is that Australia is not Number One where it counts.
That’s why now it must hurt India of not keeping up its third position that would have put them against lesser evil than Belgium in the hurdle for reaching the semis.
India did not reach Olympic semis on synthetic turf, and for that matter, since 1972.
And, every time it was in the semis it returned with an Olympic medal.
Now these spells of history has no place now as the likes of Ireland, Belgium hardly dreamt of Olympic entry in those days, not to speak of endearing medal hope.
The fact now is Belgium is the best wholesome, comprehensive team in Rio with right balance in every layer.
Belgium is the most consistent team. Its attacks are measured and methodical in moving the scoreboard. Belgium ball crashed the net in every two shots at goal, an envious record here. (see the graphics)
India so far depended on penalty corners to score. But Belgium the other way, field manoeuvres proved tobe its forte.
That almost 12 of its 16 players figure in the scorer’s list, speak volume about the team’s mesmerizing ability to generate field goals.
As its players are amassing goals this way, Belgium perhaps did not find it worthwhile to open its penalty corner arsenal. Penalty corners is the potential minefield for Belgium unexplored and untested. In the last five matches, Belgium has just got a token goal through penalty corners, one out of 17!
Penalty corner domain is going to be the USP of Belgium now on. Its forward line is well tested and proved. If in case Indian defence — which did reasonably well against Germany, Netherlands and Argentina – again stand up and count against its fordwardline, Belgium will revert to its hidden forte.
Its here form of our goalie PR Sreejesh will count. He is at his benchmark level now, but not raising it to Olympic level like David Carter, David Harte not to speak of Jaap Stockmanns.
Indian defence, all said and done, is doing it best. They bear the brunt of failing frontline as well. Its mostly V Raghunath who makes penalty corners, or Harmanpreet Singh more than Sardars and Sunils, for instance. Only field goal that stood for India till the last game was against a defender, Kothajit Singh.
At the same time, the best goal stopping was also enacted by the same defender descending on the scene from nowhere to deny Mathew Guest a logical conclusion in his clever solo 36 hours ago.
Likes of Kothajit Singh epitomize how India is playing total hockey at its best.
While keeping every positive strength India showcased so far, ball possession, rotation, creation and conversion (7 out of 27) of penalty corners, pugnacity, dashing thrusts should continue irrespective of occasion and reputation of rival.
Penalty corner defence, handling body play without getting the wrath of umpires, contentment on taking leads will be key for India.
But getting card equally scares the rival too, they fall in safety mode, giving advantage to offending side!
Belgium is a regular in the semis of top FIH events unlike India.
They are mature enough to handle themselves but it is obvious they face more (Olympic ) pressure than India.
India is underdog in the quarters even if it would face any other team than what it is now.
India’s pressure is from public, not from their own standing in the contemporary scene.
India need to forget Friday night where its Asian kind of hockey (forwards hitting side nets, on goalie, carried themselves inside circle etc) returned to haunt.
However, the defence splitting long push by Raghu with which Ramandeep Singh deflected the ball into the Canadian cage, much Like Ruhr Christopher’s off Florian Fuchs’ against us, should inspire confidence in the Indian team.
Indian team measured up to top teams like Germany and The Netherlands, and came out with colours against Argentina, bucking the trend.
Our stick-wielders at Rio are fitter side. Not a run of the mill combination. Carefully nurtured, professionally pushed up.
There is no way Spain, New Zealand or Australia would have asserted less in the quarters than Belgium would. For India its quarterfinal. Who is their rival there should count but not weigh down.
Any team in the Olympics, especially in the quarters, will not be a push over, capable of turning the table on past reputation, present ranking.
Why can’t it be India’s turn now.