India and South Korea, who between then won six of the nine Asia Cup titles, played a superb 1-1 draw today in Dhaka. Containing India for almost all the time, Korea struck a surprise goal against run of play in the 40th minute. Uncharacteristically, India did not panic, kept cool before equalizing just 58 seconds left in the clock. What looked a sedate, tame, eventless -– not even a single card, and just solitary penalty corner in the entire duration –- should normally be condemned as run of the mill stuff, but it was not so today. What one witnessed was tactically a superior, if not one of the best, hockey matches play out in front of us.
India is ten ranks above Korea in the world ranking. Koreans, on the other hand, are defending champions of Asia Cup. This two status came into prominence today today.
Indians were dominating field proceeding in terms of ball possession and attacks for almost first three quarters. But goals did not come. The lone penalty corner that they got in the entire duration also came in his spell. It was messed up.
Koreans were precise in their tackles, calm and composed inside the circle and their flawless techniques did not allow India adequate elbow room to clinch continuous fourth match win in Dhaka. Its a wake up call no doubt.
Despite not getting goals, Manpreet Singh’s boys did not panic. This is the key. They were making moves to consolidate possession, rotate the ball to test the patience of other team, build moves by give and take among them. The process as it is called was smooth, rhythmic and undisturbed.
But what matters is goal at the end of the day. India was not getting. Because, the Koreans won’t allow. They are best on falling back and they did it with clinical precision.
They struck a goal out of blue. It happens. Its exactly the approach of the Koreans, coached wily by Shin Seok Hyo, mastered in the 90s to break the monopoly of India-Pak. Frustrate the attacking side, wait for wolf like attack here and there. It worked for Korea. But with a rider.
The rider is that this India was not frustrated unlike the past outfits. Had they been, there would have been solos and harried runs here and there. The Indians were anything but that. They did not show any pressure. They were cool.
They know time is running out, but did not lose heart, or the plot but went by design.
They kept trying. Goalie was taken out four minutes before the hooter. This added strength to the attack, besides infusing an awe in the rival side. The Koreans packed their defence as would chicken to their chicks on spotting eagle.
Indians did get a PC in this spell, but it did not survive shrewd Korean referral.
The Indians switched the gear, went for direct attack. It gave them a goal just 58 seconds before full time. It was waiting to happen, and it did happen.
The draw, which otherwise was not on the cards, is the reward for India’s patience and the approach. The approach that is based on the realization that each match is different, superiority feeling has no place in the international arena.
The approach that propels patience is the key, process is the way not panicky running like headless chickens.
After seeing today’s match, I am sure India will win the Asia Cup in Dhaka.