Having secured gold at Hangzhou in 2023, along with triumphs in last year’s Asia Cup and the last two Asian Champions Trophy tournaments, their regional dominance is unquestioned. The Indian men’s hockey team will begin their campaign at the Asian Games as the undisputed powerhouse of the continent, but with a distinct point to prove.
India conceded 19 goals in six matches—an alarming average of 3.16 goals per match. But the fact that 14 of those were open field goals laid bare the frailties of India’s defensive structure. For the India captain, the focus remains firmly on the immediate 60 minutes ahead.
However, the sting of a premature exit at the World Cup in August, where they failed to reach the semi-finals despite being the only team to podium at the last two Olympics, still lingers. In modern hockey, where fast transitions and 3D skills dictate the pace, relying on a leaky backline is a death sentence. the offensive unit showed flashes of potential that the team hopes to capitalise on While the defence underwent intense scrutiny. Field goals often materialised late in matches, placing a heavy reliance on penalty corners (PC). As the team’s premier drag-flicker, Harmanpreet frequently faces the brunt of opposition rushers specifically deployed to neutralise him. Yet he was the tournament’s joint second-highest scorer with eight goals. But he views this not as an individual burden, but as a strategic puzzle for the entire squad to solve. “I deal with it with all the experience I have gained while playing. Also, I am not the only one; the whole staff and team are involved. All the meetings we do about PC defence and attack. Still, Harmanpreet is ensuring his squad remains grounded, actively avoiding the distraction of historical milestones.
“The structure was a bit on-and-off, and when we were on-and-off, all the opponents scored,” Harmanpreet told HT from Kakamigahara, emphasising that players occasionally drifting out of position compromised the team’s entire shape. We analyse things like the opposition’s best rusher, best goalkeeper, their strong points,” said Harmanpreet.
