POWER PLAY

Holders take on minnows Indonesia

Jakarta, Aug. 19: An Olympic berth at stake, nothing less than a gold medal would satisfy the top-ranked Indian men’s hockey team, which begins their Asian Games campaign against minnows Indonesia, here on Monday.

Eyes firmly set on securing a direct berth in 2020 Tokyo Olympics , defending champions India will start as overwhelming favourites against the host nation. World No.5 India are unlikely to be challenged by any of their Pool A rivals — Korea (ranked 14), Japan (ranked 16), Sri Lanka (ranked 38), Hong Kong China (ranked 45) and Indonesia. The Indians should have a smooth run till the semifinals, where they maybe taking on either arch-rivals Pakistan (ranked 13) or Malaysia (ranked 12). Going by rankings, it should be a cakewalk for India in the continental event as they are the only side in the competition to be placed inside top 10 in the world. Indonesia are no where in world hockey map and it is bound to be a lopsided contest on Monday.

It is expected to be a goal fest for India tomorrow and it just remains to be seen how many Harendra Singh’s men can pump in to boost their morale ahead of other pool matches. India’s medal-less

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Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April had the fans worried but the team bounced back strongly to reach the final of the concluding edition of the Champions Trophy under Harendra’s guidance. India bumped into world number one Australia in the title clash and lost only in the shoot off.

Going by their form and performance against top teams of the world, India will be favourites to win their second consecutive Asian Games title, which they have never achieved in the history of the continental event. In 15 editions, the only time the Indians returned without a medal from the Asian Games was in Doha in 2006.

Harendra, who took over the reigns of the senior men’s national team in May this year for a record fourth time, wants his wards to create a legacy by the end of 2018 and, according to him, the Asiad is the first step towards that target.

“We can’t think of anything less than a gold. It is not acceptable. But we have to prove ourselves on the pitch in each and every match,” Harendra had said.

“A gold here will make us the first team to qualify for the 2020 Olympics and we will get one year and 11 months to prepare ourselves.” Indian men will next take on Hong Kong China on August 20 followed by matches against Japan (August 24), Korea (August 26) and Sri Lanka (August 28). — PTI MONDAY | 20 AUGUST 2018 | HYDERABAD DECCAN CHRONICLE