INDIAN MEN HOCKEY- KEEP THE FAITH
The first semi final Of FIH in Rotterdam, Robobank World League tournament has just concluded with surprises. Who would have thought the champions will be Belgium. The best hope for them was to qualify. The dramatic thriller of penalty shoot-out in the final lasted 9 tense rounds. They proved that their win against the same opposition in group opener was not a flash in the pan. They are the fastest improving side and now a force to be recognized. Dutch, who were title favorites at home, could only get last berth. Spain and Kiwis were the notable absentees on the podium.
But this article is concentrating on India’s performance. No doubt, with this sort of competition around the corner, it was a far cry to hope for the cup. But we could have finished in top 3. It was the first game against Ireland where 2 points were lost (we easily could have lost all 3) after which, it was clear that hopes of Semi final are over. Irish side produced a lot of counter attacks, of which India has no answer. Everyone knows that remaining 2 matches demands at least 4 points. We could not score against Netherlands. How can you win a group game without netting the ball in? A win against New Zealand could have happened and India played their best in the second half. Sreejessh even saved a stroke but Black caps snatched a point in dying minutes.
Everyone knows that Australians dominate from the first minute and you have won half battle, if you contain them for first 20 minutes. Sadly, no lessons were learnt. In the Quarter final against them, we were behind within 2 minutes and 4-1 was the score line by 25 minutes. Indians lost all the steam and virtually surrendered after the fifth goal early in the second half.
India defeated France in first play off, though it was visible that France has improved a lot since missing the spot for Olympics to India in Delhi the previous year. Against Spain, India came from behind and retained lead for more than half an hour. In the shootout, the experience and coolness of mind is the key and young often wilt under the pressure. We could have presented a happy ending to the tournament by defeating a higher ranked team for the first time here, but destiny has something else in store.
There are a lot of troubling questions that desires explanation. Is recruiting Rolant Oltmans as technical director a failed experiment? What purpose was served by it? Has it led to two seat of power in one team, shirking all responsibility? What is the reason for poor rate of conversion in penalty corners, despite of having 3 drag flickers in the squad? Does the gamble of having so much specialist of PC proved a wise decision (instead we could have injected armour in the midfield)? Danish Mujtaba was deeply missed. Akashdeep needs more skills at senior level and clearly he was did not provide the desired replacement of Gurinder Chandy. Sardara never inspired both as a player and as a captain. Remember, what Danish did to young team in Azlan Shah, not long ago. Sandeep is a shadow of his former best. The perennial problem of giving penalty corner’s to opponents too cheaply is still unsolved. Youngsters often loose cool easily. India is no explanation and young birds must learn not to be angry birds far too easily.
There are some silver lining’s to be read. Sreejesh is really world class. Last Irish goal injured him and Indian hope seriously. India struggled, whenever he was out of field, specially against Dutch. Mandeep, the youngest chap, has a great future. He is lethal in front of goal. The way he defeated one of the best and hugely experienced Goalkeeper of the world, Cortes, by scoop in playoff, proves it. He must be given more time upfront.
All is not lost and India can still book ticket to WC on same turf the next year via Asian Championship later this year. It is achievable with a thorough SWOT analysis. Fans must ‘Keep the Faith’.