Harendra wants aggressive show against Japan
This year we have started competitions well but have not been able to finish. This semifinal will give us the chance to peak at the right time. MANPREET SINGH, India captain
NEWDELHI: Defending champions India have emerged the team to beat by finishing at the top of standings in the Asian Champions Trophy. The Indian team will be favourites against Asian Games gold medallists Japan in the semi-finals in Muscat on Saturday. India thrashed Japan 9-0 in the pool stage.
With four victories and one draw, the Manpreet Singh-led outfit is unbeaten in the six-team tournament. In the other semi-final, two-time champions Pakistan will be up against Malaysia.
The Harendra Singh-coached side has so far fired in 27 goals in five matches conceding only two, one each against arch-rivals Pakistan and South Korea. However, Harendra has not been entirely pleased with the performance. Chinks in the armour, especially upfront were exposed during the 0-0 draw against Malaysia. He wants his team to play aggressive hockey. “I would like my boys to play aggressive hockey. The semi-final will be a different ball game. The result of our last encounter with Japan will have no significance on Saturday.”
Strikers like Mandeep Singh have come to the fore, having scored five goals so far. Mandeep hit two crucial goals against Pakistan and also scored a hat-trick against Japan.
Youngster Dilpreet Singh has also put his name on the board regularly with four goals so far.
India can also take heart from the penalty corner conversion rate with Harmanpreet Singh being in top form. The dragflicker scored a hat-trick in India’s last pool game against South Korea, which they won 4-1. With six goals in the tournament, Harmanpreet is the top scorer.
Skipper Manpreet said: “This year we have started competitions well but have not been able to finish. With an eye on the World Cup, this will give us the chance to peak at the right time.”
World No.16 Japan just managed to scrape into the semis by beating Oman 5-0 on Thursday. The Siegfried Aikman coached team has not been able to replicate the energy they showed in Jakarta when they won their maiden Asian Games gold. “Our performance in the preliminary league, including the loss to India, is history now. My young players have grown in confidence,” said Aikman.
India have not lost to Japan since the 2013 edition. In the past 12 meetings, India have won 11 while one match ended in a draw.