India seek redemption after Asian Games low
ASIAN CHAMPIONS TROPHY Last big tournament before Odisha World Cup
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 defeating 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.
The opening match will be a good test for us ahead of some crucial pool matches against Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and South Korea.
“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.
It is important to keep focus throughout the 60 minutes and not give opponents any chances. HARENDRA SINGH, India coach