Mercury rises before final
uthraGchaturvedi
As a rule, the Australians do not take 70 minutes to defeat a team on a hockey field. The world champions do it in the first 10 minutes. Thereafter, it’s all about playing catch-up for the opponents.
On Thursday morning, as most of the Commonwealth Games officials here prepare for the closing ceremony, India will be looking to change that script. They can, but for that they need to not only play better than they have so far in the competition, but also be much more smarter. They have already achieved a first, ensuring a first-ever medal in the Games, but targeting the gold and breaking Australia stronghold on the title will require an extra effort.
For starters, keeping the ball away from the Indian goal for the first quarter would be half the battle won. Australia play their game as much in mind as on the field and frustrating them will be part of the battle. The fact that they are unbeaten in the Commonwealth Games — ever since hockey was introduced in 1998 — is a big advantage for them. As also the fact that they have not lost a single game since Ric Charlesworth took charge a year back.
On the other hand, the crowds here have played a big role in India’s performances so far. Striker Shivendra Singh admitted that, after being 1-3 down against England, India leveled only because of the crowd support. That kind of support can be unnerving for any team, as England found out. Even Australian captain Jamie Dwyer, after the India semi-final, said that the kind of atmosphere is capable of changing equations. And though the match is being played during the day, the fact that it would be India in the final — something not witnessed at this venue for several years now — may bring in the crowds.
India have also managed to outplay Australia in patches during their league match and also during the World Cup, but failed to go the distance. On Thursday, India will be looking to build on the positives from their past two games — against Pakistan and England — while cutting down on their mistakes.
In speed and skills, this is a different Indian team, and the players credit trainer Pradip Dutta for this. The improved fitness has also meant hyphenated roles — Tushar Khandker is striker-playmaker, Sardar Singh is playmaker-defender, Sandeep Singh is defender-striker, Gurbaj Singh is defender-playmaker and Arjun Halappa and Vikram Pillay are all-purpose men. It may be confusing but not for the players, who are clear about their roles.
The weather will be a factor as well. The Indians are used to this weather; they play in such conditions for 10 months a year. The Aussies, however, have been complaining about the schedule even before they landed, and it is likely to play on them.
“We have played four matches in five days’ time under these extreme conditions but India are yet to play during the day. It is very hard to be consistent in those conditions but we have the fitness to counter these conditions,” Australian coach Ric Charlesworth said.
The only concern will be penalty corners, where India have consistently missed the target. “Sandeep is the world’s best drag-flicker in the world during practice; now he has to be the best during matches, and he is trying,” said coach Jose Brasa.
India almost managed to pull it off in their last match against the Aussies, during the league stage, and Pakistan further jolted them, but neither has been able to go the distance. India have got another chance to do it; it remains to be seen if they have the hunger in them.