After setting a team record for goals in an Olympic match against Japan, the Americans continued their high-quality play against India. The goal came out of nowhere for India, but coach Roelant Oltmans’ tactics were spot on. The Indians had shown good energy levels in their matches thus far, only getting exhausted in the final quarter.
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The Kookaburras were the most feared team in the field, and not just for taking the Champions Trophy and Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this year.
Belgium, however, looked the more composed of the teams as they built on the pressure with their swift free flowing Hockey.
Despite the loss Belgium still topped Pool A, since Australia crushed hosts Brazil 9-0.
“When it comes to quarter finals, it’s a do or die match and that’s where we need to improve”.
“Unfortunately we are touching the moon, but still we couldn’t reach there, we have fallen from there. It’s bad for us and I am disappointed”, Oltmans said. There are always gaps. “That’s what has been proven in today’s game”, the Dutchman said. “I only want people to pray for us”, he added.
The Belgians, however, had other plans.
Belgium scored a third in the final quarter via Tom Boon to extend their lead.
That was until Dockier slalomed through the Indian defence to equalize on 34 minutes.
Valentin Verga scored a sublime third just after the break when he volleyed in a pass from the outstanding Jeroen Hertzberger, before penalty corner king Mink van der Weerden completed the rout eleven minutes from time to eliminate the pre-tournament favourites.
Tupper had an answer for that when he found success on a corner shortly after. In the league stage, India had scored seven of their nine goals from penalty corners while Belgium had scored only one. However, it was India who took home the first glory as Akashdeep Singh somehow got his stick at the end of another vicious slap into the box by Raghunath in the last minute of the first quarter. The ball touched the left leg of goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch before entering the cage.
Despite earning an early goal advantage in the match, courtesy of a Danish Mujtaba strike deflecting off Akashdeep Singh in the 15 minute, it was not long before familiar demons of inconsistency returned to haunt India.
The Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh was brilliant and saved a penalty corner to maintain India’s lead in the first half.
Maria Granatto then doubled the lead with a field goal in the 23rd minute. “We showed that again today, and we will do that a couple more times”.
However, the Indian captain P. R. Sreejesh, a pillar of strength in the goal, often referred by the commentators as the “wall”, said that the team had both the confidence and consistency to make a match of it.
“We need to keep in our head to keep playing hockey and not be chickens”, Netherlands midfielder Lidewij Welten said.
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The good news for the Indians before the key game is that star half-back SV Sunil, who sustained an injury during game against Canada, is likely to be fit for the all-important game on Sunday.
