Where are the goals?
Five Action days in the Hockey India League is over, six matches have been played out with the end of today’s encounter between Delhi Waveriders and Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
Two teams have completed one fourth of their quota of matches: 3 out of 12.
Stars and personalities have come, opening ceremonies were a hit especially at Ranchi and Lucknow, people were treated visually.
But one thing that concerns purely hockey fans and watchers remains unanswered: Where are the goals?
Six matches just produced 18 goals, goals per game average is just 3.
First four matches ended in identical 2-1 score.
The sixth match, despite played against full crowd, ended in a tame 1-1 draw.
In fact, there are about 16 players who made it to their names in the scoreboard, hardly a player could manage more than one goal. When young Mandeep Singh struck one for Rhinos on Friday night, he became the first player in five matches to post more than one goal, and his record will remain on his name till Sunday tomorrow, when two matches are on the anvil.
One goal is own goal, hence no scorer name).
Within 12 hours, Raghunath was to do the same same when he converted home team’s penalty corner against full stands at Dhyan Chand Stadium in the outskirts of Lucknow.
But the goal he struck at Jalandhar against JPW is technically Own Goal
Its early to say anything, as only a fraction of number of games actually scheduled has been staged, but the early trend may prove to be a dampener.
Goals are what can make the league popular, and its shortcoming in the early stages is unwelcome.
Spectators would like to witness hat-trick, competition for top scorers etc .
From the orgnanizer’s point of view they motivate players for more goals, bringing in Hero Goal of the Match and award a player in each match Rs.25,000.
Now it is upto the players to make the HIL popular with a flurry of goals.
Yes, there has been excellent goalkeeping, but forwards have to devise ways to overcome them, especially self goal is allowed.