After London high, India seek Dhaka joy vs Pakistan
DHAKA:Two easy wins garnered, a confident India would face their toughest test in the event when they take on Pakistan in a much-anticipated group stage match of the Asia Cup hockey tournament, here on Sunday.
Favourites to win the title, India have been impressive so far, beating Japan and Bangladesh comprehensively in their opening two Pool A matches.
After beating Japan 5-1 in their opening match, the Manpreet Singh-led side mauled minnows Bangladesh 7-0 on Friday.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have had a mixed outing so far. While they thrashed Bangladesh 7-0 in their campaign opener, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Japan. India currently sit atop Pool A with six points from two wins while Pakistan are placed second with four points.
What is heartening is that the Indians have scored some excellent field goals but a matter of concern for them is their penalty corner conversion rate. Against Bangladesh India earned 13 penalty corners but could make use of just two.
Pakistan might not be the most potent force in world hockey presently but when it comes to playing against India, the intensity touches a new level.
Of late, India have dominated Pakistan in hockey, the latest being the 6-1 thrashing in a 5th8th place classification match of the Hockey World League SemiFinal in London in June. This was after India thrashed them 7-1 in the group stages.
It dented Pakistan’s hopes of booking a berth at the next year’s World Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar and the Pakistanis would be desperate for revenge.
With four world titles and three Asia Cup titles (1982, 1985,
WHAT IS HEARTENING IS THAT THE INDIANS HAVE SCORED SOME EXCELLENT FIELD GOALS BUT A MATTER OF CONCERN FOR THEM IS THEIR PENALTY CORNER CONVERSION RATE
1989), the 14th-ranked Pakistan have been blighted by poor management and security concerns.
But with a new management in place, Pakistan have recalled some experienced players in the squad and this could make things better rather than worse. For Pakistan it is a big game as a loss can dent their Super 4 chances with Japan expected to win hands down against Bangladesh in the other Pool A match of the day.