PREVIEW: QF3: India-GB: It will be Indian defence versus British fire power

India has a tough task today against charged up British. The first quarter final is the host country’s most expected show. A full crowd is expected. The inform crack outfit Great Britain faces subdued home team. The Indians face not only paying public, preying critics but also its own make up issues.

Every player or coach one speaks to confer one point. They have done enough analysis and are ready for today’s do or die show. They also agree the fire power, the lack of it, is the issue that may not help their prospects today.

Coach Roelant Oltamans, an old fox, is candid when he often cites that this is a tournament where world’s best is there. And that India has to avail its chances and their target is next year’s big bang Rio. Raipur is definitely a step towards Rio preparation.

As a responsible coach, he doesn’t blame any particular layer of the team, midfield or fowardline, for the mediocre show the team dished out so far but lets you know the team is collection of all not just a sector of it.

As a coach he is right.

Probably, his choice of forwards is nebulous if the play time he gave them on the field is any indication.

The match now demands a refresh attack line, which can give finish touches inside circle. Or at least shrewd enough to get penalty corners.

Getting penalty corners have been an issue over a couple of years. Coach says the teams have learnt how not to yield penalty corners.

Quite true, but then India’s strength is its battery of penalty corner experts, known fire powers.

Indian forwards are not that sharp inside the circle. They are soft. The dash required for connecting a cross, or deflecting a hit-in is not there.

Probably, the likes of Devinder Walmiki can add if given more time for him on the turf.

India almost play well in the midfield and defence.

The lack of numbers on the scoreboard puts pressure on Indian defence.

Birendra Lakra, despite a mistake here and there when he moves upfront, is best here. He has with him the solidity Raghu with his experience lends. Jasjit Singh Kular is still raw, but has shown enough grit.

Goalie Sreejesh needs protection more than what he has got so far.

British forwards have shown their fire power.

Almost entire midfielders and forwards are on the scoreboard, and it is a proof that the team’s strength is scoring.

Simon Mantell, Nick Catlin, Henry Weir, Chris Grassic, Ivan Slovan, David Condon, Phil rtoper, Alastar Borgdon and Aln Forsyth have all struck goals – nine of them. British have so far struck 11 goals, highest for any team in the pool stage.

All but one of these goals are through field efforts.

Without Ashley Jackson their PC drills lacks power and finish.

India, much like Germany, has just two goals in its kitty.

It has not earned not many penalty corners too.

British will corner India in direct scoring.

Only way India can counter is to go for early goals, and go for a goals any case.

India’s strength is not only its defence but also its PC expertise compared to British.

Here lies the chance of India: score or perish. Its not possible for any team to contain other sides from scoring unless and until their own team scores.

We have to wait and see whether India is able to translate its will and determination into goals and make a match of it today.