Despite posting the tournament’s biggest victory of the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup — 14-3 against Canada in the last pool match — India faces tough challenge in the final against Belgium today. Their rival in the final is easily the best team so far, having won four matches and drawing one including a gritty one-goal margin over India. With tight defence and amazing forwardline the only European team in the six-nation competition, Belgium enters the final as favourite for the title. Interestingly, Belgium drew Canada 1-1 in their opening match, but India struck 14 times against Canada the other day. The visiting Indians can take enormous pride having reached the final, as it has left some shining stars like Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh among others.
goal rained for India on Saturday: It beat Canada 14-3 while their colts beat Oman 15-0 in the Junior World Cup.
Belgium has conceded least goal in Ipoh. India gave away as many as eleven goals, that is, four more than Belgium. Both have struck identical 24 goals so far, Indian number vastly increasing after ther fluent 24-3 win yesterday against Canada.
India has three penalty corner experts in Amit Rohidas, Jugraj – who posted four goals yesterday, and captain Sanjay. Each of them saw their names on the scoreboard too. Penalty corner is one area that is by all means inferior to Belgium. India has conceded as many as 30 PCs so far compared to mere eleven by their opponent. It speaks how the Indian defence is porous when it comes to safeguard the cage. Despite goalkeeper Pawan and Mohit doing more than expected, conceding penalty corners should count Craig Fulton, who would otherwise be happy having led his team to the final. He took the risk and it worth.
Indian forward line is not conspicuous, it wastes chances. However the team has in its grit determination to win the matches. It won three matches by a goal margin, these have gone either way but for the determination the team showed thoroughly. Yes, it lost a match, it was against Belgium but here too the goal margin was the barest.
What should dominate Indian mind will be the fact that Canada, whom they beat with 11 goal margin held the Belgium 1-1 in their opening match. India need to do the same. IF Canada can, why cant’t we kind of attitude.
Barring a couple of players, Indian team, though can be branded second string, is replete with experienced hands. Amit Rohidas, Vivek Prasad, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh are battle hardened fighters.
One thing we can be sure of is Sunday will present a perfect setting for a grand finale.