As I sit down to write my column, I really don't know how to explain the defeat we suffered against Australia on Thursday. It is now almost impossible for us to enter the semi-finals. All the Aussies need now is to win one of their remaining two matches to make the grade.
After having played international hockey for 16 years, I am sure that the strategy we adopted in the last three matches did not help us. Indian hockey revolves around our ability to attack, which has been time and again acknowledged as the best in the world. We somehow forgot this point in these Olympics.
To add to that, I also do not think that the players' positions should be shifted around in such a short time.
We have already mastered our positions and when I get the ball on my right, I know where Gagan will run. This is the kind of understanding we had. But here our positions have been changed.
In my opinion, it only worked to our disadvantage. Gagan should be played more as a centre-forward instead of a right-winger. He is an opportunist and has the natural ability to score goals. We need him to be in the circle, either scoring or forcing penalty corners. They are not familiar with this position and tend to make unnecessary and costly mistakes. To me, we are playing into the hands of the opponents. Whatever the boys have achieved so far is because of their sheer determination. I hope my assessment of the situation is taken professionally as it is meant for the good of the team. I have no fear in saying what I feel would help our prospects in the Olympics.
In the second half, we suffered a lapse of concentration and our defence left wide gaps. It was exploited immediately by the fast running Aussies, who struck two quick goals. On both occasions, there was already a man behind our defence in the circle, waiting to collect the long passes.
{{/usCountry}}In the second half, we suffered a lapse of concentration and our defence left wide gaps. It was exploited immediately by the fast running Aussies, who struck two quick goals. On both occasions, there was already a man behind our defence in the circle, waiting to collect the long passes.
{{/usCountry}}I think that at this stage we should have played more possession hockey, moving the ball amongst us and to the flanks. There was not much time left and we were reduced to 10 men then as I was shown the yellow card for a mild infringement, which in my opinion did not warrant such a harsh punishment. Personally, I think a draw would have been a fair result for all the effort we had put in to level the score when we were down 1-3. The boys showed tremendous character to fight back but it was just not our day.
Moving forward, we still have two crucial games to go against Argentina and New Zealand. We should win both and hope that the outcome of the other games favours us.
Wishful thinking, but then this is the only hope we are left with. (Chivach Sports)