The wait for a World Cup medal rolls on, extending the grim reality check for Indian hockey. Despite heading into the quadrennial showpiece with some confidence, India’s campaign collapsed under the weight of defensive frailties and tactical predictability.
We lost many chances via this. In modern hockey, where fast transitions and 3D skills dictate the pace, relying on a leaky backline is a death sentence. “Our marking was loose especially against the Netherlands and Argentina. I know the boys are putting in the effort but these small things are where we are behind and need to overcome. In defence, our marking was poor. “The last pass, especially while entering the opponent’s circle, was missing. The team needs a little more work in these areas. either make a good pass, create a PC or take a shot at goal While entering the circle. In high intensity matches, every second has immense value.”
Conceding 16 goals in five matches (an average of 3.2) is alarming enough, but the fact that 12 of those were open field goals exposes the problems in India’s defensive structure. We conceded 12 field goals which clearly indicates the defence not marking the opposition attackers properly,” former India skipper Sardar Singh told HT.
“In tournaments like the World Cup you need to take that extra step,” said Sardar.
The team abandoned their fast-attacking style, dropped deep and fell under pressure. “We didn’t want the start we had but it happened. Half-time came at a good time, we regrouped. A significant tactical vulnerability was India’s over-reliance on captain Harmanpreet Singh. His drag-flick is world-class, combining sheer power with deceptive angles but elite teams have learned to neutralise India’s penalty corner routines. When the first rusher charges down, India’s secondary options, variation or second battery, often look uncoordinated.
Against Argentina, India found themselves 0-2 down within six minutes on Monday. the third quarter saw India lose their grip completely While they managed to claw back to 1-2 by half-time. I am glad we got back into the game 1-2. Unfortunately, third quarter was a little hard to manage, we didn’t play our normal fast-attacking hockey but come the last 7-8 minutes we started to find our stride and scored two goals. We finished 5-3 down in a big game and unfortunately it wasn’t good enough.
“Disappointing,” India chief coach Craig Fulton said.
“There was no clear communication too in defence. What do you have to do, just communicate that go right or left. The communication skills need to improve. When you are going in as successive Olympic bronze medallists, you know rival teams will come having studied your game. The homework needs to be slightly better. Of course, the coach will strategise but it is you who has to go and execute.”
