The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Total failure on all fronts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 09, 2006

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Sport - Hockey

Total failure on all fronts

Pargat Singh

India's performance against England was a big blow to our reputation, and not because we've started the tournament on a disastrous note.

The two defeats have almost wiped away India's chances of making the semifinals. What stood out like a sore thumb was the team's reluctance to attack. And it was a total failure on all fronts. England attacked like never before and I have never seen it play such an attacking game.

I think India underestimated England. India lost 2-3 for the second time in two days, but that score did not mean it was a close match.

There were too many mistakes in the defence, especially from Kanwalpreet. The hesitant, defensive approach presented Indian hockey in a different picture from the one the world has seen so far.

Altering strategy to suit the requirement in matches is fine, but allowing the rivals to dominate is not something that the fans at home will easily digest. For a better part of the contest, Indians confined themselves into a defensive shell.

Lapses inside the scoring zone can make even a modest opposition push you to the limits and England's display showed that it had the hunger for success that India lacked. India lost the game in the midfield, where it allowed England to dominate the crucial link. The soft-game approach seems baffling.

It was not as if the half-backs were falling back to help the deep defence. India's half-line did not seem in play on this day.

After two losses, the team management will need to work hard to motivate players and keep their morale high for the remaining games. India can still salvage some pride. But it is going to be an uphill task. — PTI

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