India will now have to wait and watch
S. Thyagarajan

It has been an amalgam of agony and ecstasy. On the threshold of a bronze medal, and facing a thin chance of even making it to Sunday’s final, the guessing game for India continues in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament.

The tally of nine points after the league engagements leaves India with several possibilities. But the players will have to sit on the grand stand on Saturday and watch how the final set of matches pans out.

The prospect of India figuring in the final emerges if Malaysia inflicts a 2-0 defeat on Argentina. Great Britain, with eight points, can hope only for a bronze even if it beats Pakistan while a reverse could spell disaster.

Korea can upstage Britain if it beats leader New Zealand by a huge margin.

These eventualities are fascinating; they invest Saturday’s schedule with more than ordinary significance.

Lots to mull over

From India’s standpoint, there is a lot to mull over. Its three victories have come against Asian outfits. That means, the team is yet to overcome the challenges posed by non-Asian sides, be it New Zealand and Argentina or even Britain.

It may be argued that India could have earned full points, or at least drawn against Britain and Argentina. The Indians slumped in the final minutes leaving coach, Michael Nobbs reiterating that he was “more angry than disappointed.”

Mere proficiency is only part of the battle; it needs to be backed with consistency. The Indians have the former trait in abundance. But they seem unable to put together even two matches in similar style and system.

Even against Pakistan on Thursday, the players — barring Birendra Lakra and Sardar Singh and to an extent Kothajit — were lethargic.

The team management must been pretty nervous every time Pakistan swarmed the circle. Fortunately, Chetri was in fine form under the bar.

Therefore, it goes without saying — and seldom does it go without being said — that unless the link between the layers functions with perfect cohesion, victory will be only a chance outcome than just reward for tactical and technical excellence.

Frequent errors

The frontline and the back line fell into frequent errors. Neither Sandeep nor Raghunath won credit for tackles and interceptions.
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A lot was expected out of Sunil, Tushar and Shivendra in the front line. But their brilliance has been evanescent. Uthappa, Danish and Dharamvir have worked with enthusiasm and enterprise, but Yuvaraj Walmiki has been a huge disappointment.

Subjected as they were to intense pressure, the performance level of goal-keepers Chetri and Sreejesh, can be classified as good.

Notwithstanding the reverse against Great Britain, the Kiwis top the table. Assured of their maiden final entry in the event, they take on Korea riding the crest of confidence.

Admittedly, they have worked hard. Professional, and perfectly synchronised in attack and defence, the Kiwis are the best on view.

The undulations in the performance graph of Great Britain should give coach Jason Lee sleepless nights till the Olympics at home. The highest rated in the field here, the British squad has played far, far below its known — or advertised — potential. A bronze, which Britain is likely to take home, will not be commensurate with its stature or efficiency level.

Lessons from Argentina

The pugnacity and fortitude displayed by Argentina after two successive defeats are a lesson to many. How quickly the team can change its fortunes in a match was crystal clear when playing India. In a matter of seconds the verdict was pulled out of the opponent.

The Koreans have been a pale shadow of their past. It is difficult to fathom how, and why, they have slid down the corridor of non-excellence.

On the contrary, the Malaysians, thanks to Saaris, Misron, Rahim and Razie, have captured the imagination. They may even hit gold in the next Asian Games if the present form is sustained.

Down in the dumps with three points, the Pakistan side deserves a lot of commiseration. It is not as if the squad is weak or deficient in skills, but its collective inexperience shows in every match. The convulsions in the administration as also the revolt by the seniors who opted for WSH are having a definite impact

Both coach Akhtar Rasool, a world-class mid-fielder who led Pakistan to the trophy triumph in 1982 World Cup at Bombay, and skipper Sohail Abbas, a stalwart in his own right, are at a loss of words in the post match briefings to convey their anguish over the disappointing performances.

The defeat against India in the final minute of the contest was understandably was too hard to stomach.

Sunil in trouble

PTI adds

India striker S.V. Sunil faces disciplinary action for an indecent gesture at the spectators after scoring the winning goal against Pakistan on Thursday.

Sunil’s gesture caught the attention of the tournament director after television replays showed the striker celebrating his 69th minute goal, which sealed the match 2-1 in India’s favour, by throwing a punch in the air with a finger raised as he got off the turf and ran back.

The incident did not come to the notice of officials immediately but slow motion replays of the goal were discussed by television commentators.

Tournament Director Sarinder Dillon of Hong Kong has summoned the Indian team manager to meet him on Saturday.

“I have seen the match’s video and I’ll meet the Indian team manager tomorrow regarding the incident,” Dillon said, refusing to elaborate if any disciplinary action would be taken on Sunil.

Table of Points: New Zealand: Played 5, Won 4, Lost 1, Drawn 0, Goals for 18, Goals against 17, Points 12; Argentina 5-3-0-2-14-16-9; India 6-3-0-3-12-15-9; Britain 5-2-2-1-11-10-8; Korea 5-1-2-2-10-8-5; Malaysia 5-1-2-2-10-13-5; Pakistan 5-1-0-4-8-14-3.

Saturday’s matches: Korea v New Zealand (1-35 p.m. IST); Pakistan v Britain (3-35 p.m.); Malaysia v Argentina (6-35 p.m.).