As Indian hockey team gets ready for yet another test — this time the Commonwealth Games one, an aura of optimism is bound to evoke. The positive mood accompanies the team each time it embarks on a tour, but same can’t be said about their return to their beloved nation.
Recently, they came back following a ninth-place finish in the World Cup held nearly a month ago in The Hague in The Netherlands.
Blemished reputations, drooped shoulders were companions of the team when they arrived. Irrespective of the result, India’s performance during the time was also below-par and just above ordinary.
Needless to say, the so called Hockey India league stars failed. The defence crumbled under pressure and conceded late goals against England and Belgium after being in strong positions just few minutes before the close of play. “I guess we conceded late goals in two matches only. We are working on it here in this camp as well. We now have a history of conceding late goals and we need to erase that as early as possible. I think it boils down to communication and fitness,” Sardar said.
Two drag-flickers VR Raghunath and Rupinderpal Singh, rated as ‘world class’ by skipper Sardar failed to convert a single penalty corner. More woeful were the stoppers — Manpreet Singh and Birendra lakra.
Coach Terry Walsh believes that because of the uncanny nature of the pitch and the different ball used in the World Cup, most of the teams failed to properly stop and convert maximum short corners.
During the game against Spain, Raghunath and Rupinder, messed up some variation tactics. By looking at their game, one could make out that they might have practiced the variations but not perfected it. Therefore, the bigger question that why were they trying things out at a stage like the World CupIJ
“You know the Holland dragflicker who is rated as the best, scored only one. The pitch and the nature of the ball impacted the performance,” he said.
The short-corner specialist the coach may be referring to was Mink van der Weerden, who converted twice. But, at the same time, the coach didn’t pay attention to the successful conversion rate of Argentina’s junior team skipper Gonzalo Peillat who scored nine goals and was the major force for his team’s third-place finish. New Zealand’s Andy Hayward and Belgium’s Tom Boon also had very good conversion rates.
“Yes there was a change of ball and the second pitch was little bit different. But it was an issue of technical adjustments. I feel Injection and stopping were not right. We have our best drag-flickers and with them the pushers and stoppers need to focus more and show more responsibility,” skipper Sardar Singh gracefully admitted.
Turning to the mid-field, led by Sardar, tried its best but it was not enough. At times, Sardar seemed to be confused about his role - about which way to supply. In a couple of games, the skipper himself was not in the best of form.
The forward-line was robbed of two preferred players Nikkin Thimmiah and Ramandeep Singh due to injury. Senior pro SV Sunil was supposed to lead from the front, but he failed. The 24-year-old seemed to be missing his touch after being sidelined for multiple injuries of late. He still had the speed but his turns and movements weren’t good enough to escape the markers. Young Akashdeep Singh played well, positioning himself beautifully with four successful deflections.
PR Sreejesh’s brave outing under the bar and the team’s improved fitness were the positives.
But, the captain is optimistic. “last CWG, we bagged the silver, this time our aim is the Gold medal. Team is read.” Even with all the mistakes the technical problems that exist.
During the CWG, India will face the mighty Australia in their pool and might face England or the Blacksticks in the semis, which should be a tough task ahead for Walsh & his boys.