It wasn’t the brightest start to our campaign here. A 0-2 loss to China has not gone down well with our team, which was so enthusiastic after our triumph at the Commonwealth Games at Manchester.

But the fact is that the opposition played better than us. They were swifter and stronger and that made the difference between the two teams.

Our combination between the midfield and forward-line did not take off though we did make some attempts to create moves in the first session. The Chinese controlled the midfield and resultantly we were not able to take hold of the situation.

But I thought our goalkeeper T. Chanu and experienced defenders Sita Gusain and captain Surajlata Devi did a good job. Like they say, a good defence is often more important than a good attack-line to win important tournaments.

The tournament is still very much open as South Korea beat Japan 3-2 in a match played later in the day. The top two teams make the final from amongst the four teams in the fray, so if we beat the Koreans and the Japanese, we can still make the final.

China, I would say, is sure to make the final. One doesn’t see such a strong team, with a win like the Champions Trophy behind them, lose to any of the other teams in the fray, even though all teams are very strong here.

Like I wrote before in my column, it’s the toughest tournament that I’ve ever played in. I only hope that we beat South Korea and do something extra against China in the final.

We did not attack well today and scoring goals always counts. Had Manjinder Kaur converted the stroke that was awarded in the dying seconds too, there would have been a psychological boost in the sense that we’d have scored a goal. But alas, that was not to be.

We saw South Korea’s game and thought there were quite a few chinks in their armour. They attacked well and scored three goals, but then they also conceded two against a side which can be said to be the least-fancied amongst the four.

I certainly fancy our chances against South Korea, who though are the defending champions and have the home advantage.

We’ve to work harder, play with more determination. But when there is a more open game, there is a drastic change in our standard. That’s what I hope to see from my team-mates in the coming days.

We’d won the silver at the last Asian Games at Bangkok and we should try to maintain that if not do better and win a gold. We’ve to strive to do better and we’ve done that before in not too distant a past.

At the Commonwealth Games too we were almost down and out but made a superb bounce-back. Then, the nerve-wracking final against England in which Mamta Kharab got the golden goal. That’s what we’ve to take inspiration from. That’s what we should be aiming to do again.

Our immediate need though is to introspect. Where did we go wrong ? What do we need to do in the coming days ? China have seen us, but don’t forget we’ve also seen them play. We too have noted down points.

Don’t rule us out, we’re still very much in the tournament.
HOCKEY FEATURES