Penalty corner is one of the areas where the India team lacks consistency. On Monday, in their second match against New Zealand, the same inconsistency was revealed after India failed to capitalize on penalty corner opportunities.
India, who earned three penalty corners could convert only one as the other two went amiss due to wrong injection. The one converted also came off the rebound shot of V.R Raghunath.
If India has to better its chances in the tournament, it needs to get over such mistakes, especially against Malaysia in their next match on April 8.
Speaking on the forthcoming match, Senior member of the team V.R. Raghunath feels its Malaysian defence that concerns India.
“Malaysian defense is very good, especially their penalty corner defense. They have been doing a good job over last few years. It will be a tough and healthy competition when we meet them tomorrow,” said, one of the two drag-flickers in the team.
Quoting the poor conversion rate and owning responsibility to score, he said, “We made mistakes. But tomorrow is a new day. As a drag-flicker, it is my responsibility to score goals. I always put my 100 per cent. In the next matches too, I will be giving my best. If its my day, it will be good.”
Raghunath really had his day in the first match when his late goal helped India salvage a point against South Korea.
India relies on man of many battles Raghu to post first win tomorrow