Asian Games hockey: Semifinal matches project exciting possibilities

S. Thyagarajan

A rest day offers the coaches and players the time and leisure to introspect. It is used to redesign the strategies and approach to face the challenges on the home stretch towards the podium.

All the coaches whose teams are in the semifinal of the hockey competition here are sure to recall what coursed through the preliminary stage.

Reaching the last four was not easy for teams like India, China, and even Japan, but the Korean men and women sent a clear-cut message; their target is well set to regain the gold medals.

The Korean women were dominating thanks to the all round efficiency displayed, especially in the area of penalty corners where shooter Hu Sunsoon held the attention.

Therefore it is indisputable that India, which struggled to reach this stage after a poor start against Thailand and a defeat against China, faces a formidable challenge.

It goes without saying that the women, for whom Ritu and Jaspreet Kaur had been prominent, need to raise their level of the game notches higher to face Korean challenge before the vociferous home crowd.

China, the three-in-a-row gold medallist, faced a few hiccups against Malaysia and India. The new-look team eventually made it and will clash with Japan.

Among the men, Terry Walsh and his team of coaches are compelled to evolve a new plan to counter Korea whose players are in splendid form. Nam Hyunwoo and Jong Junghyn are capable of changing the course of the contest in any second.

For all the hype before departure, the Indians were wayward and looked anything but a well-knit unit.

The frontline did nothing worth mentioning while in the midfield Sardar Singh, surprisingly, showed little creativity.

Injuries to Chandi and Rupinderpal, who missed the crucial match against Pakistan owing to a groin trouble, have affected the team very much. The struggle against China only confirmed this.

There is definite trace of resurgence in Pakistan after a lengthy break from international competition.

Coach Sheikh Shanaz has succeeded in fashioning a talented mix of seniors and juniors.

Understandably, the defending champion is looking for a place in the Rio Olympics 2016.

But the manner in which Malaysia came back into the reckoning against Japan on Saturday, this squad is now trained by Arul Selvaraj, cannot be taken lightly by the Pakistanis.

Stage II of the competition that will decide the medallists, projects exciting possibilities defying predictions.

Monday’s matches: Men: (9-10): Singapore v Sri Lanka (8.30 a.m.).

Women: (7-8): Thailand v Hong Kong (10.30 a.m.).

Semifinals: China v Japan (1 p.m.); India v Korea (3.30 p.m.).