The Indian men’s hockey team has been on fire at the Hangzhou Asian Games, winning all their group-stage matches and scoring a whopping 58 goals. But as they head into the knockout stages, it’s time for a reality check. In the past, the team has struggled in the knockouts despite dominating the early rounds. Will they be able to handle the pressure this time? Let’s take a closer look.
One of the positives from the group stage matches has been the scoring pattern. With 14 goal scorers, including Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Varun Kumar, who each scored eight goals, the team has shown great depth in their attacking prowess.
However, recent tournaments have exposed the team’s vulnerability under pressure. At the 2018 Asian Games, where they were defending champions, they faltered in the semi-finals and had to settle for bronze. The same story repeated at the World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the quarterfinals. Even at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, they suffered a crushing defeat in the final against Australia.
The bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics was a commendable achievement, but it was an outlier performance. The team has often struggled to handle the weight of expectations, and this has resulted in disappointment.
Head coach Craig Fulton acknowledges the pressure on the team and emphasizes the importance of sticking to their game plan. He points to the Asian Champion Trophy final, where they turned the game around after being 1-3 down at halftime. This resilience will be crucial in the knockout stages of the Asian Games.
In the semi-finals, India will face South Korea, a team ranked 11th in the world. While India may be the favourites on paper, they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. South Korea has proven to be a tough challenge in the past, pushing India to their limits in previous encounters.
One player to watch out for is South Korea’s Jang Jong-Hyun, who has been in sublime form, scoring 17 goals in the tournament. His penalty corner conversions pose a significant threat to India’s defense. The Indian team must be cautious and not give him too many opportunities to score.
As the knockout stages begin, India needs to maintain their dominance and convert their chances early on. The real competition starts now, and anything less than a gold medal would be considered an underachievement for this talented team.
So, can the Indian men’s hockey team live up to the hype? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, they have the talent and potential to make their mark on the Asian Games. Let’s hope they can handle the pressure and bring home the gold!