India seek redemption after Asian Games low
Last big tournament before Odisha World Cup
The opening match will be a good test for us ahead of some crucial pool matches against Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and South Korea.
MUSCAT (OMAN): Holders India will look to bounce back from their disappointing finish in the Indonesia Asian Games when they open their campaign in the 5th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey campaign against unfancied hosts Oman at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Thursday.
World No 5 India, the highest ranked Asian team, had to settle for bronze in the Asian Games, losing to Malaysia in the semi-finals before beating Pakistan in the bronze medal playoff. World No 12 Malaysia face Asian Games champions Japan in the first match on Thursday, in a repeat of the gold medal clash in Jakarta.
India beat Oman 7-0 when they last met, at the 2014 Asian Games. Chief coach Harendra Singh looked ahead to the sixteam tournament that will culminate with the final on Oct 28.
WARM UP
“The opening match will be a good test for us ahead of some crucial pool matches against Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and South Korea.
It is important to start the competition by doing the basics right and producing our best performance to build momentum,” he said.
India won the 2016 edition by defeating Pakistan 3-2 in the final. But Harendra Singh urged his players to learn from the mistakes that cost India in the Asian Games.
“We know we have a good team, which is capable of defeat- ing any team, but sometimes things do not go your way. Therefore, it is important for the unit to keep its focus throughout the sixty minutes and not give the opponents any chances. We have to make sure we’ve improved after the mistakes we made at the Asian Games; this tournament gives us the perfect opportunity to regain confidence ahead of the World Cup in Bhubaneswar.
“Our immediate aim is to qualify for the semi-finals and the team will work hard to achieve that.”
India will face Pakistan on October 20, Japan on October 21, Malaysia on October 23 and South Korea on October 24. India were undefeated in the previous edition where they beat Japan 10-2, drew 1-1 with Korea, beat Pakistan 3-2, beat China 9-0 and Malaysia 2-1 in the pool stage before defeating South Korea 5-4 in the semi-finals in a penalty shootout.
India and Pakistan have won the tournament twice each and will be looking to win a record third time. India won the inaugural edition in 2011 and Pakistan in 2012 and 2013 by defeating India and Japan respectively. GURGAON: A professional for six years now, Vani Kapoor has acquired enough experience to know the only way to overcome poor form is quality practice. While it helps that this week’s Hero Women’s Indian Open is happening at her home course, DLF Golf and Country Club, a modest season on the Ladies European Tour (LET) has given the 24-year-old clarity on the way forward.
The highest-ranked Indian at the last edition at tied 6th, Vani arrived here a month back to put in the hard strides and tees off on Thursday with the strategy to combine familiarity with enough practice. “Learning never stops as every shot is a new shot. The season hasn’t been great (34th at the South African Women’s Open was her best result) but was big on the learning curve and I hope to end it on a better note,” said Vani.
The month-long practice may have gone to plan, but being hit by tendinitis (elbow) a few days ago hasn’t helped. She is hopeful of getting better before Thursday, but even if that doesn’t happen, Vani is not willing to let the discomfort hold her back. “I’m not thinking about it (the pain) much,” she said.
Apart from furthering her chances, Vani will also be a role model for rookie Tvesa Malik. The 22-year-old leads the domestic pro tour’s order of merit with three wins and is looking forward to her national Open.
“It has been a great season and I have improved a lot. Since I play here often, I know the course well,” said Tvesa.
Encouraged by the success at home, Tvesa will compete in the LET’S qualifying school later this year in a bid to get playing rights for 2019. This is where Vani’s experience will come handy as Tvesa has sought her advice.