In American basketball, cheerleaders have a special drill for egging on their team’s defence. With chants of “D-E-F-E-N-S-E, D-E-F-E-N-S-E,” the cheerleaders remind the players of the basics of good defence.
Having seen his team’s shoddy work against Spain and Australia, chief coach, Jose Brasa, should consider employing a set of cheerleaders who would remind India about the basics of defence, clean trapping and strong man-to-man marking.
Brasa might have also learnt a vital lesson against Spain - depending on makeshift defenders is not advisable. Brasa converted Dhananjay Mahadik, an attacking midfielder, and Bharat Chikara, a forward, into full backs, with only the nervy and erratic Sandeep Singh as the regular defender. The result was they made basic errors in trapping and marking the forwards.
A slow mover, Sandeep compounded his problems by fumbling and losing the ball to the rival forwards. With Chikara too off-colour, the defence conceded soft goals and lost 2-5 to Spain. Brasa said he couldn’t do much if his players played like schoolboys and committed errors seen in kids’ hockey.
{{/usCountry}}A slow mover, Sandeep compounded his problems by fumbling and losing the ball to the rival forwards. With Chikara too off-colour, the defence conceded soft goals and lost 2-5 to Spain. Brasa said he couldn’t do much if his players played like schoolboys and committed errors seen in kids’ hockey.
{{/usCountry}}In future, he should watch domestic tournaments with the selectors and pick good defenders, instead of converting forwards and midfielders into full backs. Otherwise, history will repeat itself in Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Slow the pace
Brasa and his boys should slow the pace and strengthen the defence on Saturday against England, who have made giant
strides in the last few years. After three successive wins, England lead Pool B with nine points. A victory against England will maintain India’s slim chances of making the semis. The hosts will advance if they win against England and South Africa; Spain draw against Australia and England; and Pakistan beat Australia but lose to South Africa.
Brasa, however, was realistic. “We are virtually out of the race for the semifinals and should fight for 5-6th position. Victory against England will keep our hopes alive,” he said.
England are depleted following the withdrawal of Richard Mantell, who fractured his right leg against Pakistan on Thursday. Mantell is a key defender and their second drag flicker.
The India forwards need to show more coordination and decisiveness in the rival 23-yard area. They are using the flanks well but need to be aggressive in the midfield.
Mantell blow for Eng
The 2010 World Cup will not be one to remember for England’s Mantell brothers. While younger brother Simon had to leave Delhi two days before the start because of a foot injury, older brother Richard dislocated and fractured his right leg on Thursday and has withdrawn from tournament on Friday.