looking to end a 16-year-old gold drought, the Indian men’s hockey team faces a tough South Korea test in the semi-finals of the 17th Asian Games, here on Tuesday. The Sardar Singh-led side came back well after losing a tense third Pool B game against Pakistan 1-2 to put it across China 2-0 in their fourth and last league match to qualify for the last-four at the Seonhak hockey stadium.
India, who last won a gold in the 1998 Bangkok edition under Dhanraj Pillay’s captaincy, are once again looking for a top finish and gain a direct entry into the 2016 Rio Olympics.
However, a lot of concerns lie in all departments of their game. Their defense is still not steady in the face of speedy thrusts and the weakness was evident against a skillful Pakistan side.
The Indian attack also lacks a real ‘livewire’ approach and the midfield has still not exercised the authority required at this level. India are depending on earning penalty corners to move ahead in matches, a dangerous trend, and with ace drag-flicker Rupinderpal Singh injuring his groin in the second game against Oman has really not been up to the mark.
India are thus leaning on V R Raghunath to bail them out when the chips are down. The fact that Sunil, Chinglensana Singh, Danish Mujtaba and Birendra lakra have just one field goal each to their name — even after playing against minnows like Oman and Sri lanka — tells its own tale.
The Indian forwards just run out of ideas when in sight of the target and lack imagination in beating the rival defensive line when the chance opens up. Rupinder still remains the top scorer for the team with 6 goals to his credit, scored in the first two games, while Raghunath has scored five, from penalty corners and penalty strokes.
Four-time gold medal winners Korea can just not be taken lightly and have prowess in both field-goal scoring as well as in penalty corner essays. Drag-flick expert Jang Jonhyun, who has already fired 5 goals from short corner awards, besides notching up one-field goal and a penalty stroke strike, is the leading goal scorer of the tournament so far.
Another frontline player Nam Hyunwoo, who is a real threat to the Indian defense, will be the man to be marked tightly with his penchant for scoring when even a whiff of a chance arises. He has notched up six field goals so far. He has been backed up in the forward line by Yoo Myosik (4 field goals) and the Indian defense might have a real tough task before them to deny these two speedy and skillful players entries into their ‘D’. The Indian team’s think tank will be hoping that the defence stands up to the Korean threat and take them to its 12th Asiad final. India will need to be on top of their game to defeat the Koreans, said chief coach Terry Walsh ahead of the contest. “We have achieved the first target of the competition. Playing South Korea at their home environment brings some very good challenges for our team. We will need to bring a high quality of ball handling and decision making to the game,” he said.
“Matching South Korea’s urgency and physical strength must also be achieved. Our team has every capacity to be very effective in this match and I am confident that with endeavour and persistence we will do well in this semi-final,” added the Australian. Team captain Sardar Singh was hopeful about the team entering the final.
“With the first aim to enter the semi-final of the tournament being accomplished, the focus now is to outperform South Korea in the semi-final and secure a spot in the final,” he said. “The team is fully prepared and considering the importance of this match against South Korea, we are looking forward to performing our best and generate favourable opportunities and results,” said the star midfielder.
The match is scheduled for 1 pm (IST).
Eves go down to South Korea 1-3
Indian women's hockey team put up a determined effort before going down to a superior South Korean outfit by 1-3 margin in the semi-final of the 17th Asian Games on Monday. India will now play in the bronze medal play-off match against Japan, whom China beat 1-0 in the other semi-final. Korea opened the account as early as third minute when Kim Darae's reflex snap shot beat Indian goalie Savita all ends up it make it 1-0. In the 11th minute, India levelled the proceedings courtesy wonderful strike from Namita Toppo from the the top of the ‘D'. Namita entered the box and took a rasping shot at the corner of the net to make it 1-1.
After finishing on even keel in the first quarter, Indian girls fought hard in the second quarter before conceding the lead in the 28th minute with a strike from Han Hyelyoung. Korea finally took an unassailable lead in the 42nd minute when Park Mihyun took advantage of poor defending after being fed right in-front of the Indian custodian. Park trapped the ball and then had enough time to turn and slot it after it rebounded off Savita. In the final quarter, India did get a penalty corner but drag-flick specialist Jaspreet Kaur failed to convert it.