The Indian team has shown its mettle in recovering from a big loss to Australia and make the last-four round, and now the boys face a stiff task of doing so in the medal game.
Advertisement
That seemed to spark the Australians into life and they struck the post twice in the opening quarter, before they eventually broke the deadlock after 28 minutes when Blake Govers’s effort went underneath Britain goalkeeper George Pinner.
“It was a very good performance”, said coach Crutchley.
India will play the 3rd / 4th position match Great Britain on 5th July 2015 at 7.00 pm (IST) in the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015.
Having missed the grade for the Champions Trophy last year, Great Britain are doubly determined to win a medal ahead of the Rio Olympic Games next year.
“Belgium is a tough team and we have to be completely alert with them tomorrow”, concluded Van Ass.
“They were expected to come out strongly looking for early goals, but we erred in giving away two soft goals at the start”, said Sardar. “It is easy to read the structure, but they did a fantastic job in executing the structure”, he said. “Some boys do not have enough global experience”.
“I am sure the two back to back goals by Jasjit would have given his confidence a boost and we are confident he will stand up to tomorrow’s test again”.
“Recent contests between India and Belgium have always been close, but the early soft goals we conceded built enormous pressure”, said skipper Sardar Singh. “We need to learn to be strong in converting the chances”, said Sardar.
In the dying minutes of third quarter, India earned a penalty corner but Manpreet Singh lost a chance to score.
Meanwhile, Australia will be the favourites going into the title encounter against hosts Belgium. Jacob Whetton’s goal for Australia in the 51st minute put the match beyond Great Britain’s reach.
Advertisement
It was their first defeat in five matches at the KHC Dragons Stadium, although Rio Olympics qualification had already been assured following their win over Pakistan, played in temperatures topping 41 degrees Celsius, The Asian Games’ champions own disintegration saw them fail to secure an Olympic berth for the first time since 1956.
