Virtually no one within the present Indian males’s hockey squad is aware of know the sensation of profitable an Asian Video games gold. The final time they gained it, at Incheon in 2014, solely Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh have been a part of the staff.
On Friday, Harmanpreet Singh and his bunch could have their likelihood once they tackle defending champions Japan within the remaining in Hangzhou. Win the gold and India seals their spot for the Paris Olympics.
How have India carried out thus far?
India, world no. 3 and the top-ranked nation in Asia, have been anticipated to prime their group with loads of objectives to point out. They did precisely that — beating Uzbekistan 16-0, Singapore 16-1, Pakistan 10-2, Bangladesh 12-0 and their opponents within the remaining, Japan 4-2.
The semifinal match towards South Korea was a tough one to barter. They took a giant 3-0 lead within the first quarter however South Korea responded with two fast objectives within the second. India ultimately scored two extra and stopped South Korea from scoring a couple of to see out a 5-3 win.
What has labored for India thus far?
As many as 14 gamers have scored for India on this event with Harmanpeet and Mandeep Singh main the charts with 11 objectives every in six matches.
Though India did not face a lot of a contest within the group stage, head coach Craig Fulton will take the positives of seeing so many scorers in his staff. The likes of Varun Kumar has eight objectives, Lalit Upadhyay seven, Abhishek six, Amit Rohidas 4, Shamsher three and Hardik two.
Harmanpreet is the main scorer, however India weren’t depending on his penalty corners alone. The truth is, even in changing penalty corners, Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas contributed, scoring 4 every.
The semifinal win towards South Korea was an ideal instance of that. India gained solely three penalty corners the entire match. Harmanpreet missed two, whereas Rohidas got here up with a superb dragflick to beat the goalkeeper. Mandeep, Abhishek and Lalit additionally stepped up towards South Korea to attain discipline objectives.
Harmanpreet will nonetheless be a very powerful participant going into the Asian Video games remaining, however India have proven they’ll win with out his objectives towards a tough opponent.
How can Japan damage India?
Japan have crushed a red-hot China to make it to the ultimate for the second consecutive time. China, buoyed by the house assist, defeated higher-ranked nations South Korea and drew with Malaysia to complete on prime of their group. That they had momentum and confidence of their facet, however Japan spoiled their celebration by beating them 3-2.
Within the group stage match towards Japan, India have been dominant within the first three quarters and have been forward 4-0. However they misplaced management of the match within the remaining quarter-hour and conceded twice. No harm was accomplished when it comes to end result however Japan confirmed they’ll punish in the event that they sense that the opposite staff should not in management.
India are a greater staff so they may maintain possession and create extra probabilities. Japan is not going to dominate them however they’ll damage them briefly bursts, be it on the counter or by changing the penalty corners.
Even towards South Korea, India stored conceding although they have been up within the match and enjoying higher hockey. South Korea by no means allowed India to realize full management of the match regardless of being down on objectives. They took their probabilities and stored themselves within the match.
Fulton craves for management and strong defensive blocks off the ball. Even now, it appears the assault to defence transition remains to be a piece in progress.
In brief, India can not afford to lose management even when they’re two or three objectives up. They can’t drop off the depth like they did within the final match towards Japan. The repercussion right here is lacking out on gold and an automated qualification to the Paris Olympics.
Who’re the gamers to be careful for?
Mandeep has been a prime performer with the best way he is ending the prospect. He is a ahead however he often makes alternatives for different forwards to attain. He runs probably the most, makes house and supplies the help. However right here at Asiad, Mandeep can be taking the possibilities to attain discipline objectives, which bodes nicely when it comes to decreasing the burden on Harmanpreet’s penalty corners.
Amit Rohidas has been excellent within the defence in addition to contributing with the objectives. His dragflicking has improved massively and his defence was essential in retaining South Korea in test regardless of coming beneath immense stress. Yet another match to go and he’ll be wanted at his greatest towards Japan.
Hardik Singh shouldn’t be solely India’s greatest midfielder however among the finest on the planet. He is the one who orchestrates the attacking play from the center whereas being rock strong together with his defending. He was missed on the World Cup the place he was injured within the essential matches so he’ll need to do his bit for this remaining and assist India win a gold.