Asian Games Hockey

[sameerph]

India beat Onam 7-0 in the second match. Not satisfactory at all. It seems they did not even score in the first quarter which is not expected against a team like Oman. Now, big one against Pakistan on Thursday. They much pull up their socks now as a win in that match is important to get an easier SF.

[ssp]

Not impressive but somewhat better than the 1st game.
The women were pathetic in their 1st match. Beating Thailand 3-0 is cr*p. Last time we beat them 13-0.

[sameerph]

Womens Hockey team lost a close match 1-2 to China. That looks an impressive showing against a much higher ranked team. Not sure though if we can expect a medal from them.

[jayakris]

Yeah, what happened here? I thought the women's team was supposed to stink? May be not?

I am down to getting excited about losses to China. Oh well

Jay

[ssp]

We have to take narrow losses as signs of encouragement. That's how low our expectations have become. I have stated before that Hawgood has been no good. We may not have the talent available, but the coach should make us value possession and learn how to play the ball out of defence. Our women's teams for the past 2 years haven't been
impressive at all. 2-1 v China looks a reasonable result, but the 3-0 win over Thailand is pathetic.

Tomorrow our men play Pakistan. The men really impressed either. Let's hope both teams improve with each match.

[chakde697]

It has been going to be a thriller as both the team is not in a real good form over past few years. But still India-Pak is always going to be thriller.

Let's home to see some great action.

[ankit1407]

Lost 2-1 to Pakistan, no surprises......

[sameerph]

After a good peformance in CWG and general upward trend in last few months under Terry Walsh, this comes as a setback. I did not watch the match but did our players miss a lot of chances ?

[ssp]

Really depressing loss to Pakistan. All the promise at CWG and later stages of WC means jacks**t when we do this kind of sh*t.
Usual conceding of a goal 1-2 minutes after equalizing.... I was following the match and soon as we got it 1-1, I just knew the next goal would be against us. Always happens to our hockey teams.
No Gold in hockey as all 3 matches so far have been waaaay below par. Looks like Walsh and Oltmans will get the Brasa treatment if we don't turn this around.
All the expensive coaches and trips and we get beaten by Pakistan who have been out of action for most of the year. Pathetic

[PKBasu]

Depressing to lose again to Pakistan. We should be dominating them now that they are well out of the hockey world's elite. Let's hope Walsh is getting the team to peak toward the end of the tournament rather than at the start of it...!!

Anyway, here's the rediff report:
http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/arc ... 140925.htm

[kaustav]

Very sad...When you have players like Akashdeep Singh,you bound to lose these matches...He should be kicked out of the team..Also we have suffered because of Rupinder absence...Raghunath is no way near to him as penalty corner specialist...

Lets hope we can do Pakistan of 2010 Asiad...

[jayakris]

Would even one thing go right at this Asiad? Jay

[ssp]

I have harping on about weak players likevAkashdeep, Danish, Chinglensana and Ragunath for ages. These types will always cost us in tight matches. Ramandeep had a poor game too.
On the evidence of the first 3 games, we seem to have gone 3 steps backwards from our CWG performance levels. Maddening inconsistenency. Hope we can get to the semis and somehow raise our game.

[sameerph]

Our womens hockey team thrashed Malaysia 6-1 to qualify for the SF. The womens team seems to be getting better by the match. We will mostly play Korea in the SF which will be too tough, I guess. But, even if lose we will have a chance to fight for bronze medal against either China or Japan.

[sameerph]

Our mens hockey team beats China 2-0. Enough for them to reach the semi final but not impressive.