After London high, India seek Dhaka joy vs Pakistan We have learnt to be calm while playing Pakistan: Rupinder Pal
ASIA CUP India aim to extend streak against Pakistan after brace of wins in World League
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.
Of late, India have dominated Pakistan in hockey, the latest being the 6-1 thrashing in a 5th-8th place classification match of the Hockey World League Semi-Final 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, 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. NEW DELHI: Playing Pakistan brings the best out of you, but there is always an added pressure on India to dominate the contest, says the country’s top dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh.
“Whenever you play Pakistan there is a different kind of pressure. Players just want to go all out from the word go and gain the upper hand. It adds to the pressure,” says the defender from Punjab.
India will take on Pakistani na group game on Sunday in the Asia Cup being held in Bangladesh.
After a brief hiatus due to injury, Rupinder Pal Singh missed the ongoing Asia Cup in Bangladesh. He has recovered and is back in the national camp.
Despite the adrenaline rush when playing Pakistan, Indian players have learnt to stay positive.
“The emphasis is always on good hockey and not indulging in rough tackle ,” he said on the sidelines of the national age-group tennis championship here, where he was the chief guest.
Staying confident has been the team’s mantra, says the Olympian. “We take Pakistan as just another team and don’t get distracted by the off-field issues.”