Handling nerves can be a tricky thing on the field of sport. Skills, talent, even the best of plans, everything can fall apart in mere seconds if the teams are unable to handle the pressure on the big stage. And who knows it better than the Indian men’s hockey team.
In the history of the Hockey World Cup, India has managed to win just five of their opening matches in the 13 editions of the mega tournament held since 1971.
On November 28, it was the sixth such instance when India began with a win, coming up with a strong performance against South Africa in the Pool C opener of the 2018 FIH Men’s Hockey tournament at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. World No. 5 India walloped their 15th-ranked opponents 5-0 in what was an inspired performance.
Akashdeep Leads From Front
There was a lot of debate when Hockey India had announced the 18-member team for the World Cup at home.
In the absence of S V Sunil, recently-retired Sardar Singh and penalty corner specialist Rupinder Pal Singh, the team appeared thin on experience. In youngsters Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Simranjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Hardik Singh — all of whom have experience of less than 100 matches combined between them — India had made a bold move. Fresh legs were chosen ahead of established stars but if one expected a nervy show from the youngsters on the day, they were in for a surprise.
Playing in front of packed galleries with close to 15,000 screaming fans — who applauded every good move and were punishing when things took a wrong turn — Manpreet Singh’s young guns scored a 10/10 when it came to holding their own on the big stage.
Right from opening their account in the ninth minute when Mandeep Singh found the net till the final hooter, the youngsters played with calm heads. There were no frills, no big stage nerves nor any fancy play — it was just plain, clean hockey, something that coach Harendra advocates time and again.
If Simranjeet sparkled with two goals and a man of the match award later, Lalit Upadhyay made sure he played the role of a senior pro with elan. Seasoned campaigner Akashdeep Singh was lethal, cutting and piercing through the South African defence and was very effective as a link-man. Dilpreet and Mandeep were able foils as India pumped in five goals.
There were missed chances too, which might have gone unnoticed in the big victory but with two crucial matches coming up next, India know they cannot afford to take it easy.
Well Co-ordinated Defence
The Indian defence was hardly tested in the first two quarters.
India pushed South Africa to the wall making good use of the flanks and creating space in the midfield.
After the break, South Africa came back stronger and had their moments in the third quarter, but goalkeeper Sreejesh P R, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas and Surender Kumar were alert.
That South Africa were slow on counters and failed to find men supporting up front worked in India’s favour.
Penalty Corner Conversions Still a Worry
Of the many names that were left out of India’s World Cup team, the one of drag-flick specialist Rupinder Pal had evoked most surprise. The 6 feet 3 inch tall defender had struggled with form in recent times but is considered a cool customer in home conditions. A veteran of 200-plus matches, Rupinder knows the conditions at the Kalinga Stadium like the back of his hand and has dished out many memorable performances at the venue.
On the day, India earned five penalty corners and even though two goals were scored off rebounds none of them came from direct conversions. India’s three-pronged drag-flick battery of Varun Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas failed to crack the code as South African defenders and goalkeeper Rassie Pieterse foiled all their attempts.
India’s penalty corner conversions were, and still are, a cause of worry.
Did India err in leaving out Rupinder? Perhaps, it is too early to say but one thing is certain: A similar performance against Belgium wouldn’t be enough.
Belgium, who defeated Canada 2-1 in the other Pool C match, are known to shut out teams in the midfield. Nor will they provide India with so many chances. With a water-tight defence, Belgium do not allow many gaps. India will have to come up with different plans against the Olympic silver medalists if they are to top the group and make a direct entry into the quarter-finals.
What Next?
The hosts have three days in hand to further fine-tune their plans and prepare better strategies for the upcoming battles against Belgium and Canada.
In the overall context, India would have gone home happy having opened their World Cup campaign on a right note and with a win under their belt. There were more positives than negatives in the opening encounter with still a scope of improvement.
But for now, three points matter. And India have it.
(The author has over 16 years of experience in sport writing and formerly worked as Deputy Sports Editor at The Asian Age. She specialises in hockey writing and has covered one Olympics, two Hockey World Cups, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.)
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