Confident India takes on Argentina

HOBART, OCT. 20. Unrestrained flamboyance of the frontline combined with disciplined defence are what would help India in its quest to clinch the junior World Cup when it meets the South American champion Argentina in the final here on Sunday.

Buoyed by a thrilling 3-2 victory against Germany in the semifinals, India looks confident but knows the folly in under- rating the Argentineans.

And nobody knows that better than coach Rajinder Singh. ``I have seen them play in three-four matches here and I know they will be very tough in the final. They have a tendency of slowing the game down suddenly in the midfield and then getting in a field goal by cross splitting the defence. Before the defence can get a hold, they are already celebrating the goal.''

However, the Indians have also matured by reaching the final, the coach admitted. ``They know they have a shot at glory - of being world champions - and they will give their best in the final.

``If we play and as always, I say, get the goals to put pressure, India will be world champion,`` said Rajinder Singh, who was the highest scorer of the 1981 World Cup in Mumbai when India finished fifth.

``I hope what I couldn't do as a player for India, I will achieve it as the coach,'' he said.

Though the coach refused to divulge the strategy India would adopt on Sunday, one can safely assess that Rajinder Singh will not shuffle the team too much as he is known to keep confidence in players even if they have an off-day.

He would also want to get the goals early and ensure that at the break, India is leading.

The trump cards would be the usual - Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh, Arjun Halappa, Inderjit Singh - all in the forwardline.

Of course, the Argentinean defence of Juan Gilardi, Gustavo Stepnik and Diego Avila will be keeping a special eye on Deepak Thakur who leads the goal-scorers' list with seven goals.

The midfield, overall, has been a bit sluggish and as against Germany in the semifinals, India would be playing defensively trying to cut the Argentinean counter-attacks in the middle.

But if India manages to bring Halappa into midfield and play him in a free-wheeling role, it could do wonders as the youngster has skill and the vision to relay the ball to the centre-forwards.

Kanwalpreet Singh, Bikramjit Singh and Jugraj Singh will have to come up with another superb performance if they hope to carry the World Cup home. The threesome, India's defensive wall along with goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, will have to keep an eye on the famous Argentinean crosses that just fly into the centre of the circle.

Bikramjit Singh will have to hurry with his clearances and if India carries its semifinal form into the final, Argentina could well be in trouble.

Argentina coach Luis Ciancia said his chief worry was the Indian forward line. ``I can only hope my defence keeps them out otherwise if they start firing, we all know what happened to Holland and Germany.''

After all, the important thing is to win the World Cup. Hype can follow the win.

As far as statistics go, India definitely holds the edge. In seven matches, the Indians have scored 25 goals conceding 10 while Argentina has scored 16 conceding seven.

It is India's second consecutive entry into the final. Four years ago, in Milton Keynes, India dominated the match with 10 penalty corners and almost eight strikes in the Australian circle, yet lost the final 2-3. This time around Rajinder Singh, his boys and millions of Indian hockey fans will not want history to be repeated.

Earlier in the day, in the matches for the classification positions, Australia beat Korea 4-1 and Spain beat Holland 3-2. Host Australia now meets Spain to decide for 5-6th places while Holland meets Korea to decide 7-8th positions.

In other matches, New Zealand beat France 2-0, the teams finishing ninth and 10th. South Africa beat Malaysia on strokes 7-5 to finish 11th and 12th respectively. Scotland beat Ireland 3-2 to finish 13th and 14th while Chile beat Canada 2-1 to finish 15th with Canada ending up last in the 16-team competition.

- PTI

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