An Indian revolution needed vs France

Bhubaneswar, December 4

Hopes of their title defence shattered, a demoralised India would look to put behind the disappointment quickly and avenge their opening game defeat to France in the bronze medal playoff match of the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup here tomorrow.

The defending champions’ quest for a second consecutive title ended after they suffered a 2-4 defeat to six-time winners Germany in the semifinals on Friday.

The Indian juniors must now lift their game and make amends for their sloppy show against the Germans if they are to finish on the podium.

Sloppy in defence

The winners at the last edition, they looked a pale shadow of themselves in the match against Germany. Consistency is something that has been missing from their game. For instance, against Belgium in the quarterfinals, the Indian defence was extraordinary but the same backline was caught napping by the Germans.

Chief coach Graham Reid was disappointed at this. “Germany showed what we need to be doing as far as defending is concerned. They were in front, they tackled the ball well, they tackled in groups. If you have to win at the world stage at this level, basics have to be flawless,” Reid said after the defeat.

The likes of Yashdeep Siwach, vice-captain Sanjay Kumar, Shardanand Tiwari and Abhishek Lakra clearly failed to read Germany’s moves.

Attacking woes

India’s only four shots at the German goal in the match — Germany had 14 attempts on India’s goal — lay bare the fact that the link between the midfield and the forwardline had also come apart.

Penalty corners have been India’s deadliest weapon in the tournament. But against a free-flowing German side, they could earn only one, and that too wasn’t converted.

Poor decisions

“We created opportunities but they weren’t quality ones,” Reid added.

India’s faulty decision-making when inside the German circle is what the Australian was most rueful of. “Smart players decide at that time and make better decisions. Our decision-making wasn’t good… At the end of the day that’s what gives you outcomes — the ability to make good decisions inside the circle,” he said.

But the past is past. The next game against France is all that there is to play for and Reid wants his boys to turn up the heat on their opponents on Sunday. “We have to come out on Sunday and avenge that first game we played against France,” the coach said. — TNS, Agencies