Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Buoyant Indians face dogged Malaysians

With Malaysia being a thorn in India’s flesh in recent times, India cannot afford to take them lightly

- SOUMITRA BOSE

India are on a decent run in the Hockey World League Semi-Final but will be wary of a dogged Malaysian side in a quarterfin­al match at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre here on Thursday. Malaysia can be a tricky side and in recent times, have been a thorn in India’s flesh. With every team gunning for a top-four finish in this tournament to make it to the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswa­r in December this year, India can ill afford to lower their guard against Malaysia.

The quarterfin­al line-up was decided on Tuesday night. Argentina finished atop Pool A while England, by virtue of a big win versus Korea, were No 2. Malaysia finished third while China grabbed the fourth slot ahead of former Asian champions Korea, who were eliminated after their fourth straight defeat.

The format of the tournament has allowed all 10 teams to play extra internatio­nal matches. India have used this opportunit­y to test combinatio­ns and captain Manpreet Singh said “tough matches like the Netherland­s” are good exposure for younger players who have come into the team.

India coach Roelant Oltmans said the “real” tournament starts with the quarterfin­als and most top teams will change their tactics at this stage.

India too will look to change their gameplan and one area that will garner interest will be India’s penalty corner conversion strategy. On Tuesday, against the Netherland­s, India adopted the simple trap-and-hit policy that hardly troubled the Dutch.

Harmanpree­t Singh seems to be India’s penalty-corner man in the absence of veteran stars Rupinderpa­l Singh and VR Raghunath. He was quite predictabl­e with his approach and if Oltmans is to be believed, India have a few tricks up their sleeves.

India have been among the goals in the Hockey World League Semi-Final. They have scored 15 goals and conceded five, three of them in the last group B game against the Dutch. Akash Chikte’s superb goalkeepin­g saved India from a bigger defeat against the Netherland­s.

Akashdeep Singh, the tournament’s third best so far with five strikes, scored a fine field goal against the Dutchmen. He controlled a long ball from Sardar Singh well to find the net with a deft touch past a sliding goalkeeper.

Akashdeep will have to do that more often as Oltmans envisages that the tournament will get tougher from the quarterfin­al stage and if “we can’t take our opportunit­ies, India will get punished.” In SV Sunil and Ramandeep Singh, India have lot of experience upfront and with Sardar and Manpreet controllin­g the midfield, India are not short on experience in such big games.

Malaysia have scored 11 goals and conceded 13 and India would love to exploit that vulnerabil­ity in defence.

“It’s all about not missing goals. We were quite sharp against the Dutch but we have be better in the knockout games. We have overcome the mistakes,” said Manpreet.

In the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup earlier this year, India were upset by Malaysia but in modern hockey, history is only for the record books. India have a new team and a fresh approach. Only the team has to execute what’s being discussed at team meetings, said Oltmans.

TV TIMING: India vs Malaysia, Live on STAR Sports 2 and Star Sports 2 HD, (8 PM IST)

 ??  ?? India have scored 15 goals and have conceded just five in the Hockey World League SemiFinal in London.
India have scored 15 goals and have conceded just five in the Hockey World League SemiFinal in London.

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