The Hindu : Japan is a formidable foe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Japan is a formidable foe

By Rakesh Rao

NEW DELHI, FEB. 7. Having gained confidence with every match, India is now a victory away from a place in the next World Cup. On Sunday, what stands between the host's maiden women's Asia Cup hockey title and some wild celebrations, is Japan, the most impressive combination in the competition.

A title-triumph on Sunday will help the team in many ways. The disappointment of missing a chance to play even in the Olympic qualifiers will be forgotten, at least for the time being, and future preparations will get a boost. In addition, more international matches and the much-needed corporate support for these hard-working girls should follow, if the example of the country's men's team is anything to go by.

Japan, which has never won the Cup, will be the favourite. Unlike India or China and Korea, the only frontline team to have the services of its best players is Japan. Though Japan conceded three goals to Korea in its league match, it more than made up by pumping in six goals against China.

When the two best teams meet in the final, India will have to find ways and means to stop the imaginative Japanese frontline. Though India can hope to get its share of scoring opportunities, the match will be won and lost on how the host withstands the pressure on its goal.

"Our defence was good against Korea. But the Japanese forwards are much more experienced. In fact that team is far better than what we had assumed initially,'' said India's coach M.K. Kaushik as he looked ahead.

"So far, we have done reasonably well but the real test is yet to be passed. Reaching the final is creditable. But let us remind ourselves that at present, we are far behind the top six teams of the world. Plenty of work needs to be done,'' maintained Kaushik even at the risk of sounding repetitive.

The team members need no reminding that the same Japanese line-up had beaten a stronger Indian team 3-2 and 2-0 in the two matches of the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.

Japan has the ammunition to breach the Indian defence. Twenty-seven-year-old Sachimi Iwato alone has contributed 15 of the 40 goals that Japan scored in the league. Though Japan has converted 16 penalty corners so far, it has been far more impressive in executing field goals.

India's goalkeeper Helen Mary and the defence, including Suman Bala and Subhadra Chauhan, will be praying for the midfielders, especially skipper Surajlata Devi, to reproduce the kind of form displayed against Korea in the semifinal. The Japanese forwards are known to change their line of attack swiftly. Here the speed and stamina of the Japanese girls may well prove decisive.

But India is not without hope. Sanggai Chanu and Saba Anjum have made up for Mamta Kharab's inconsistent play. Jyoti Kullu, bothered by a knee-strain, has been working hard, while Suman Bala raised visions of getting back her touch in converting two successive penalty corners against Korea on Friday.

Kazakhstan finishes fifth

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan took the fifth place overcoming Malaysia 3-1 via the tie-breaker. The regulation period ended 1-1 and the extra-time proved goalless. In the tie-breaker, the Malaysians failed to convert four attempts. The Kazakh girls found the mark twice and avenged the 0-2 defeat suffered in the league.

Earlier, Singapore came back twice from arrears against Sri Lanka to win 3-2 and took the seventh place.

The results:

Fifth place: Kazakhstan bt Malaysia 3-1.

Seventh place: Singapore bt Sri Lanka 3-2.

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