New Delhi: India play their third game of the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament against Argentina on Wednesday. After a narrow defeat against Australia and a win over China, the team has raised hopes of a revival ahead of Olympic qualification next year.
The Indian team returned to winning ways after a five-month hiatus. The 5-4 win against China who sent them out of the medal bracket at the Doha Asiad was sweet revenge. But despite a new coach and some young faces, have things changed? The experts don't think so.
"We hadn't any plan to play. You must have noticed that. We just played it. There wasn't any extra effort by the players," former Indian Olympian Ashok Kumar told CNN-IBN.
Drag flicker Raghunath Singh scored two penalty corner goals for India. He is finally justifying the faith shown in him after Sandeep Singh's freak injury. But there is a long way to go.
"As far as defence is concerned, though he (Raghunath) scored two goals for India, let us hope he improves his performance in the field," another former Olympian Zafar Iqbal says.
However, the defence and the forward line remain major worries. India have conceded five goals in two matches, and scored just one field goal. There is a lack of coordination among the forwards, something which has not been rectified for some time now.
"You have to dodge, you have to create the moments, you have to create the gaps, you have to use your IQ, you have to use your senses. Without watching the players you have to pass the ball. This sort of game comes in the mind automatically. Unless you are not practising, you cannot get it," Ashok Kumar adds.
Against Argentina on Wednesday, India face a stronger opponent who are already all but through to the semis.
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