Sport

History favours India against Japan

— Photo: R. Ragu

FULL OF ENTHUSIASM: The Indian team, which has come up with a sterling performance so far, should carry on and win the Asia Cup.

Chennai: Eventful in more ways than one, the BSNL-Asia Cup is hurtling towards its climax on Sunday. It is difficult to remain unaffected by the twists and turns that marked phase one that determined the semifinalists in the seventh edition of the premier event in continental hockey.

With heartening spectator response so far, the prospect of a full house for the weekend for the penultimate round of matches needs no exaggeration.

While there is an understandable element of anguish over the elimination of Pakistan, which in any case, did not measure up to its stature as an one time world, Olympic and continental champion that it used to be, the progress of Malaysia indicates a definite shift in the balance of equations.

For Team India it has been an incredible phase. Victory in all the five matches with a tally of 46 goals has set speculation of a trophy triumph though, as everyone knows, the road ahead is not easy. Competitive hockey at this level can be tricky and chancy.

Yet there is a generous measure of optimism that India can confront the challenge from Japan with a touch of poise and equanimity. The record may well be very much in favour of India, which even won the last meeting 4-3 at the Champions Challenge in Boom in June/July.

Factors favouring India are handful. Confidence apart, the team has shown a filament of consistency, and succeeded in amalgamating craft, rhythm and finish. Some of the field goals scored, especially against Korea in the needle contest, were heart warming indeed for pattern weaving combined with match finish.

Prabhjot has been outstanding, netting goals with bewitching backhanders. Tushar Khandekar is another striker displaying style and accuracy. Shivendra Singh, the main striker, suffers in comparison by frittering away chances either by not receiving the ball well, or often getting into awkward positions inside the circle.

The strength has been the systematisation and proficiency exhibited by the mid-field where picking the best will be an invidious exercise. Everyone — Gurbaj, Sardara, Bimal, Ignace and Prabodh — has contributed significantly to the cornucopia of goals thus far.

The deep defence too, manned in exemplary fashion by Dilip Tirkey, along with the indefatigable Xalco, elicits a bit of praise. However, the blossoming of Raghunath as a first rate flicker in penalty corners is the best thing that has happened. He is now a potential match-winner.

True, he needs a little more grooming in tougher matches, but the youngster shows perceptible fighting qualities, a passion and a willingness to learn. Signs of Raghunath emerging as a world-class striker are clear as crystal.

To underestimate Japan on the basis of history will be foolhardy. The Japanese today are in a different mould as witnessed during the last World Cup at Monchengladbach. Their spirit and enthusiasm are clear adjuncts to their skill, which is largely scoring off penalty corners by Yamabori.

The Indians had enough of his persistence in the Champions Challenge at Boom. The Japanese will not give up anything without a fight, and the importance of playing a tight mid-field game needs no over-emphasis here.

Striking is the emergence of Malaysia as a force after the devastating show in the Doha Asiad and in the recent Good Luck event in Beijing. Under the new coach, Sarjit Singh, the team is full of verve. Nothing symbolises this more than the exemplary performance of winger Tajuddin in the contest against Pakistan.

In Chua Boon Huat and Jiwa Mohan, Malaysia has two very seasoned campaigners, what with Kumar Subramaniam under the goal exuding an enviable demonstration of athleticism. If there is an award for the best goalkeeper here, it should go without doubt to this doughty warrior.

It goes without saying that Malaysia must raise its approach and adeptness to a much higher octave to meet the pace, precision and pugnacity of the Koreans. Twice winner of the trophy and a powerhouse for over two decades now both in the continent and at the world level, no Korean team has ever gone out of a competition for want of a fight.

The Korean power stems from the strapping drag flicker, Jang Jong Hyun, whose perfection in penalty corners has earned the plaudits of one and all here. Kim Byung Hoon is another sure shot inside the circle.

If the Malaysians can smother the speed and accuracy, not to speak of excellent trapping abilities, then there is no reason why they cannot write a new chapter.

Incidentally, Malaysia has never been on the podium in the Asia Cup. Will Chennai be the turning point for the hard-working Malaysians? Saturday evening may provide the answer.

Saturday’s matches: 11th place match: Singapore v Thailand (8 a.m. Pitch 2); (5-8 positions): Pakistan v Bangladesh (7 a.m.); China v Hong Kong (9-30 a.m.); Semifinals: Korea v Malaysia (5 p. m.); India v Japan (7-30 p.m.).