Preview: Inconsistency has been plaguing Indian hockey for quite some time and the hosts need to address it before squaring off against Rio Olympic bronze medallist Germany in their final pool match of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_4236725” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
File image of the India men’s hockey team. Reuters[/caption] Outstanding in one match but disastrous in another, near-perfect in one game but sloppy in the next – this has been Indian men’s hockey team’s “sorry” tale for the last few years. Asia has already been conquered and now it’s high time the Blue Sticks do away with their inconsistent habit if they desire to be a force to reckon with at the world stage. Much was expected from the Indian team after the 1-1 draw against Australia in their opening match but “inconsistency” came back to haunt the hosts as they produced a below-par performance to lose 2-3 against England, a side which is one rung below them at world rankings at seven. With one draw and one loss, India is currently at the bottom in Pool B with one point. The pool is being led by the Germans who have four points from one win and a draw. Even though the pool matches are there only to decide who plays whom in the quarterfinals, the Indians will be desperate to prove their critics wrong on Monday. Placed at no.6, India is just a spot below Germany in the world rankings and Sjoerd Marijne’s men will have to curb their inconsistency if they have to outmanoeuvre the European powerhouse tomorrow. In fact, Marijne will need to address this area if India hopes to be a medal contender not just here but also in next year’s three big events, the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Cup. “We really need to work on our consistency. For me the big question is why we drop our level. That’s what we need to talk about because if you have reasons you can improve,” a disappointed Marijne had said after the England defeat. The superlative performance against Australia was followed by a pathetic show against England on Sunday. India looked in the game as England controlled the proceedings for major part of the game. In all departments of the game, the Indians were found wanting on Sunday. While the strikers were guilty of frequent miss-trapping, the defence was at its sloppiest best to say the least. Sloppy defending handed England’s Sam Ward two goals on Sunday, the second of which was the winner late into the match. It was not as if India didn’t have their moments. The hosts came from two goals down to draw level in the fourth and final quarter, only to give away the game minutes later. “That are part of the game and you want to avoid it of course. Players don’t do it with purpose but that cost us the game,” the coach said about the defensive blunders. And come tomorrow India cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes because if they finish at the bottom of their pool they will have to face the top team of Pool A. Meanwhile, in the first match of Pool B on Monday, Australia will take on England. With inputs from PTI
Highlights, India vs Germany, Hockey World League Final 2017, Scores and Updates: Visitors win 2-0
Catch the live score and updates from India’s match against Germany at the Hockey World League Final, taking place at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
)
And that’s it from the Kalinga Stadium.
India has had a bad day.
Losing to Germany 2-0.
But they will play the QF.
Till then.
India finish their campaign with just one point.
One will have to wait for tomorrow’s Pool A matches to know who they play in the QF’s.
Most probably it will be Belgium if everything goes to plan there.
India is in a huddle at the other end.
Would be interesting to know what the coach is saying at the moment.
India have to seriously look at themselves and ask whether the tactics are right or not.
Too many questions. Not many answers yet.
This will be one disappointed Indian team.
They were never in the match.
Few chances. PC’s didn’t have the bite.
After the 1-1 draw with Australia in their first game, it’s been downhill.
AND THAT’S IT.
GERMAN GOALKEEPER SAVES THE FLICK.
GERMANY WIN THE MATCH 2-0.
INDIA NEED TO DO A LOT.
And India get another PC.
Can they score and at least get a goal?
But they don’t get it.
No PC here.
It’s almost over.
But India want another referral.
Seconds left.
Ball is deflected off.
India want a referral.
India have to press to get something out of this match.
And they get a 3rd PC.
India clearly out of depth here.
Time running out.
Possession. Possession. Possession.
Germany’s mantra in this match.
Germany with less than 8 minutes remaining lead 2-0
Yawning gap at the top.
The HWL has shown that India needs more work.
Germany’s relentless control.
Sending the ball back from India’s striking circle back into German half.
Can India get two goals in 15 minutes?
Not impossible.
But the way India is going around the game, it’s a distant possibility.
No fluency in any pass.
In 3 quarters, India has probably stitched 4-5 passes that may have worried Germany.
After a long time, Harmanpreet gets a decent cross into Lalit.
But that’s the end of the 3rd quarter.
Germany lead 2-0.
Fans are getting restless now.
India not able to excercise any authority on the match.
Almost 20 turn overs by now against India.
There is no structure in sight.
India losing the ball constantly.
And now Germany has a PC.
No PC for India.
Germany wins the referral.
3rd quarter starts.
India has a huge task.
In the starting minutes, India trying to force the pace.
Good move coming from India as Manpreet forces Germans into defensive mode.
It’s India’s 2nd PC now.
But Germany want a referral.
It’s like after the match against Australia, they just lost their bearings.
Modern hockey is not about running and hitting.
It’s about controlling the pace. Germany is doing it brilliantly.
Even if India has a different style, control is the bed rock of any international side.
Maybe, Marijne would try and understand what is happening here.
It’s not the 2-0 lead for Germany.
But the fact that India are nowhere in the game.
There is no control.
Indian captain Manpreet is getting frustrated with the players.
For someone who played with Sardar, he must be wondering where control has gone.
THAT’S THE END OF THE 2ND QUARTER.
GERMANY LEAD 2-0.
COMPLETELY OUT OF SYNC HERE.
Walter Tobias saves. Pushes Rupinder’s weak flick away.
India still in the German half.
Trying to find a goal.
This team lacks control at the back.
Absolutely no rotation happening.
India get their first PC of the match in the 2nd quarter.
One of the few Indian attacks.
Nothing much.
Except Germany’s Ferdinand gets a green card.
India want a referral. Looking for a PC.
Something strange is happening here.
Indian players are just not in position.
Rupinder Pal Singh playing up.
Knowing he doesn’t have the speed to fall back.
Close call for Germany.
Mandeep Singh shot as German goalkeeper stretches to save.
But no Indian there to pick up the deflect.
Then Akashdeep has an opportunity.
But the shot is wide.
GOAL!
GOAL!
THAT WAS A SOFT GOAL.
MATS GRAMBUSCH HIT DEFLECTS OFF LAKRA’S STICK. CHIKTE NO CHANCE.
GERMANY LEAD 2-0.
India had the chance to equalise.
Akashdeep cross but Sunil doesn’t trap right in front of goal.
GOAL!
GOAL!
THE CAPTAIN MARTIN HANER SQUEEZES THE FLICK IN.
GERMANY LEADS 1-0.
And that’s the 1st PC of the match.
Goes to Germany.
That’s the end of the 1st quarter.
Germany have had almost total possession.
That could have been close.
Chinglensana moving into the German striking circle. But the pass goes free.
Players not reading the ball.
Turn overs happening to fast for India.
If they have the ball, they give it easily away.
Manpreet needs to play the main role with a free man behind.
Germany not worried about pace.
They are controlling the movements.
Moving into positions smoothly.
India has defended now for ten minutes.
India in the German half.
Rotating now.
But Manpreet’s pass is wide.
India need to control and hold the game.
Germans back in the Indian striking circle.
Two shots already on the Indian goal.
India better be careful.