K. ARUMUGAM

On the inaugural day when India took on Malaysia, the stands were full with Indian fans at the Qaboos Sports Complex, venue of the tenth edition of the Women’s Asia Cup. The India’s 9-0 rout enthused them a lot, infused hopes and expectations.  One even brought a booklet with each page containing the team member, and took autograph of our stars.

An Indian fan shows the album of Savita’s stars

The expatriates  were eager to see the Indian team showcase their form on their soils too as they did in Tokyo last August. The spectators were barred after initial two days. Many were disappointed to miss out action which comes to their shores rarely, but could do nothing due to pandemic hassles. Still, a countable die-hard fans being the regular promoters of hockey in the region were given consent to witness action.

However, they were uniformly disappointed on the sudden loss of form of Indian girls. They by and large considered the defeat at the hands of Japan (0-2) was an aberration and looked forward to a good result in the semifinal, which was not to be. Avoidable mistake and sluggish phase saw the defending champions gifting away the final slot to South Korea (2-3) on Wednesday.

Says Javis Ahamed Oliyath Vazhayil, Chairman of Muscat based UTSC (United Thalassery Sports Club): “We still hope to see them on the dais on Friday (when India will play for bronze). However, they did not perform as expected. Somehow, the team is not jelling, but committing silly mistakes which surprisingly includes senior players too. I really rate Savita on a high but her mistakes cost the team the semifinal. Reasons for poor show India may be they did not play much after Tokyo or COVID situation, I don’t know”.

Indian supporters (l-r) Hashir, AM Bopanna, Lijihas and Javis

Javis, a former Kerala State player, has many to express similar views. Says Hashir Ponmanichi, an IT professional based in Muscat: “This Indian team  commits a lot of unforced errors, unbecoming of the national team. Even their energy seems to be less compared to Tokyo”.

Echoes lanky Jemshi, a professional working with a major building company: “Main think I observe is that our girls are ordinary with penalty corners. They need to improve. It seems the team has communication problem, probably they were not understanding what the coach wants to …like that”.

However, they are also apprehensive as to the Bronze medal prospects.

Javis is unequivocal that the China will offer tough fight to India on Friday. “I saw the way the Chinese played the semifinal against Japan just now. They are a good team. I also saw their Korea match. Even though the Koreans won the pool match  4-0, the scoreboard did not reflect the kind of fight they waged. They are doing well in the whole tournament. However, India will have chance if they pull up their socks. I expect a good match tomorrow, though”

But Hashir, who is also President of the Kannur District Hockey Association, rates China high for bronze and gives 75% chance. “From what I saw so far I will give 75 to 25 % chance to China. At the moment India is on weaker turf. But India can always regroup and do well in the coming tournaments like the Asian Games”.

If India does well in the bronze medal match, these fans — all are former players, active in organizing hockey tournaments periodically and also tour across countries to witness and support Indian team, will be the happiest lot.

Hiten Beng, a former state level hockey player from Mumbai, is optimistic that India will do well today against China. However I feel it is going to be 50:50 game. He is now working wit in aviation sector. “I don’t think India played badly against Korea and Japan though they lost. These were fair games. At the same time team needs luck you know.”

An Indian girl-student being part of protocol