The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Joaquim Carvalho has marshalled his team well

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Joaquim Carvalho has marshalled his team well

K. Keerthivasan

— FILE PHOTO

COACH’S MANTRA: Chief coach Joaquim Carvalho’s no-nonsense approach has borne results for the Indian team.

CHENNAI: The Indian hockey team’s chief coach Joaquim Carvalho has shuffled his combination so imaginatively that it’ll be tough for Belgium, trailing 2-0 in the five-Test series, to upstage the host in the two remaining matches slated for Wednesday and Thursday.

The Indians responded in an army-style fashion, giving off their best. Commitment and efficiency are Carvalho’s mantra and his no-nonsense approach has paid dividends thus far. The effectiveness of the forwards coupled with the ingenuity of the midfield and the defence has kept the spectators in good cheer.

India had no business to draw the first Test after leading 3-0 and 4-1. Baljit Singh’s mistakes under the bar and a few bloopers in the defence helped Belgium share the honours.

A few changes were made in the second Test. Significant among them was the inclusion of Bharat Chetri as the goalkeeper. He emerged as the hero.

Prabhjot’s absence

The forwardline led by the striker Tushar Khandekar has put up a sterling show. Such has been the impact that the absence of Prabhjot Singh has not been felt at all.

In the midfield, Ignace Tirkey, Sardara Singh and Prabodh Tirkey have done a neat job in all the three matches.

Consisting of mostly youngsters with a sprinkling of veterans, Belgium has displayed admirable fighting qualities.

Jerome Dekeyser has shown the way as far as striking goals are concerned, only the others have not followed him. Belgium, no doubt, is a gritty side, but it has not displayed the speed, precision and goal-scoring abilities as the Indian forwards.

Improved show

The defence put up an improved show in the third Test. Thierry Renar and captain Thomas Van Den Black turned out to be effective in clearances and interceptions. Belgium has come with three goalkeepers and of them only Vincent Vanash has impressed.

If India has to really concentrate on any one department, it has to be penalty corner conversions.

It has been unable to force much in the three matches — 10 in total. Out of which four were converted.

As Ric Charlesworth remarked the other day, with a subtle hidden message, “How many PC’s India had in the second Test? Only one. Belgium had five.”

Belgium can still draw the series — it possesses the fighting spirit. But that can happen only if India plays below par.

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