After two defeats in as many matches and conceding five goals while scoring just one, India look to put their campaign back on track at the Hero Hockey World league Finals when they take on Olympic champions Germany in their final pool match here at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium here on Monday.
The hosts looked out of place and off-colour in their opening two matches against England losing (0-2) and New Zealand (1-3) and that brings them to their final game against the mighty Germans before the quarter-final stage begins. There was no co-ordination between the Sardar Singh-led midfield and the young forwardline. If that was not enough, the defence, India’s perennial problem, continued to commit silly mistakes when put under pressure.
The presence of three drag-flick exponents in the side in the form V R Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh and Amit Rohitdas, India were regarded as a formidable force in penalty corner conversions but they failed to convert a single one in the last two games in spite of earning a handful of set pieces.
India’s performances in the first two games had been a cause of worry for its chief coach Terry Walsh, who is guiding the side for the first time in an international event after taking charge of the team only in last November. In fact, Walsh was livid with his wards’ performance against New Zealand, terming it sub-standard and unacceptable.
The format of the tournament might have assured all participating teams a place in the quarterfinals. Even if they lose Monday’s game against world number one team Germany, India will qualify for the quarterfinals as the results of the pool stages will only determine who will play whom in the knock-out phase.