So, it is time now for Hockey India and Roelant Oltmans (if he survives this result) to concentrate on the junior team – the Junior World Cup in Lucknow in December is a good opportunity, refurbish the senior team with fresh blood and play as many worldwide tournaments as possible to build up rankings and the confidence of the players. Later in the same year they also defeated India in the finals of 2011 Men’s Hockey Champions Challenge I, which gave them their maiden entry to Champions Trophy 2012 in Melbourne.
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The midfield led by Sardar Singh, which also includes Manpreet Singh and SK Uthappa, played well and so did the backline although the defence, when put under enormous pressure, crumbled to give away soft goals. There are always gaps.
“When it comes to quarter finals, it’s a do or die match and that’s where we need to improve. The forwardline cut a sorry figure as they hardly created any chances which could be gauged from the fact that India failed to earn a single penalty corner in the entire 60 minutes”, says the report. “That’s what has been proven in today’s game”, the Dutchman said.
Leading 1-0, India made a composed start in the second quarter and controlled the game for a brief period. “That’s where we have been lacking”, he added.
Argentina, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have all sealed their respective places in the semi-finals following a highly dramatic day on Sunday at the Deodoro Hockey Centre. “We’re pretty slack when it comes to the real key areas of goal-scoring and keeping the ball out”. “We had only one or two opportunities and a break from the corner, but we didn’t succeed”.
Belgium soon started dominating the possession and exerting their influence on the game, Sebastien Dockier drawing a superb save from Sreejesh in the 14th minute of the quarter.
The defence too found it tough to keep check of the rampaging Belgium forwardline, who mounted relentless attacks on the Indian goal.
Penalty corner specialist Tom Boon tested Sreejesh but the Indian showed fine skills by diving to his right and denying Belgium the lead in the 44th minute. India’s best came in the 18th minute when Manpreet Singh and SK Uthappa combined well to enter the Canadian circle but once again Carter came in between India and a goal when he brilliantly saved the former’s reverse shot.
Belgium was in the lead one minute later when Cedric Charlier crossed from the left and Dockier dived forward superbly to deflect the ball in. They led the entire men’s tournament with most goals scored in an individual game, racking up 12 against Brazil.
“We needed to show more team unity and energy after the first goal”.
“When India attacked that presented chances for us in the counter-attack”, Bissett said.
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“In hockey, captaincy isn’t the most important but it’s all about outside of the field, how you are coordinating with the players, how you are bringing them together, getting their potential out”. They ceded midfield control early and could not wrest it back in the second half.
