Champions Trophy Hockey, Breda,Netherlands, June 23-July 1 2018

[ankit1407]

Any link to watch the final ?

[jayakris]

We are playing quite well in the first half. Surender Kumar is a beast at the back in defending. But we have been more often at the Aussie end. But for 2 sitters that SV Sunil missed, and two botched injectons on penalty corners, we could be up 2-0 or 3-0 quite easily. But if you miss chances, at some point the Aussies will make you pay. So far so good though. 0-0 with 6 minutes to go in the first half.

And just as I say it, the Aussies get a PC and score. They were 1 in 19 on PCs at the tournament, but Gowers scored now. Damnit!!! 0-1 with 6 minute to go... And that is the score at the half. 0-1.

The Aussie defense has been really solid in the second quarter, after we muffed some chances late in the first quarter and early in the second quarter. But very nice hockey. We have not made as many mistakes on trapping etc as we used to do, but we have been less-than-overwhelming in the Aussie circle for sure.

[PKBasu]

We missed a couple of PCs in the first quarter. And SV Sunil failed to finish Dilpreet’s creations. When you do that, the Aussies eventually make you pay

[jayakris]

The numbers are very close. 11 circle penetrations and 4 shots on goal by AUS; 10 CP and 3 SoG by India at the half time.

11 min to go in the 3rd, and we waste another PC without a proper drag flick. This dry surface has been giving trouble to everybody on injections. Same issue again. Mandeep with a nice shot off a good pass but it hits the post...

[PKBasu]

I’m following the commentary (not watching) but our PC technique seems totally inept. 4th PC wasted too!

[jayakris]

Vivek Prasad scores a beauty! 1-1 tied with 3:30 to go in the 3rd!!! .. That ball got passed a couple of times in the circle and he hit it in the air into the goal. Mandeep unlucky again on a great hit right in front of the circle but their goalie with a fabulous save, at the 30 seconds mark in the 3rd. Jeez, Mandeep should have two goals today, easy. India is still playing very well. The best I have seen us play. May have a bit of an advantage in the possession, circle penetration and shots numbers now. But a really great and even match.

In the 4th quarter, and the Dutch crowd is all behind India, chanting, India, India!

Dilpreet now with a shot right in front of the goalie who somehow blocks it, with 6:30 to go. Earlier Manpreet mishit a pass with Lalit and Vivek in the circle. I guess these things happen. Totally enjoyable hockey from both teams, going toe to toe. The Aussies haven't had a good shot at our goal in quite a while though.

[PKBasu]

That was a stunning final five minutes of the third quarter. Fabulous dominance by India!

[PKBasu]

18 circle penetrations for each team so far. 10 minutes left in the match

[PKBasu]

Manpreet seems to have missed a sitter with 3 minutes to go, off a fine pass from SV Sunil.

[jayakris]

Yes, Manpreet came up empty there. A good possession all around our circle by AUS with 2 min to go, but we defend well.... Here they come again with 1:20 to go. Sardar ntercepts and we play smartly to the corner. 40 seconds to go. Again an AUS move and we again don't let them get into the circle. SV Sunil intercepts. Whoa, so organized on defense, like I have never seen India play. No panic; nothing. And there is the end of the regular time. 1-1 and we go to a shootout!!

[PKBasu]

And it ends 1-1!!

Penalty shoot out now. India seemed slightly dominant in the fourth quarter —- and hence the match — but missed too many opportunities to score.

[jayakris]

Shootout... 0-1, 0-1 (Sardar muffed it TOTALLY).. 0-2, 0-2 .. 0-2, 0-2 ... We have missed THREE in a row...0-2, 1-2 (Manpreet scores)... 1-3, and AUS won again.

Shreejesh saved two but looked so-so or bad on the others. Our third attempt was scored, but they said the buzzer sounded just before (no TV referral).

DAMN... This is becoming a tradition. India losing to Australia in a shootout. But this was on Shreejesh who simply wasn't too tough on the shooter.

[PKBasu]

Why the hell are we always so awful at converting penalty strokes??

[jayakris]

Why the hell are we always so awful at converting penalty strokes??

Looks like that is the next thing for Harendra to fix. A lot of other problems looked fixed.

[ankit1407]

Damn played much better then aussies but made a mess of so many chances in regular time.. did not deserve to lose this one