Asian champions trophy

[sameerph]

We drew with Japan 1-1 yesterday. Japan seems to be the team we always have trouble putting across to.

[Saffron Lenin]

India beats Malaysia 5-0 emphatically!!

[ssp]

Managed to watch a live game after a long time. Very impressive win. Created lots of chances and gave away little in defence.

Fulton seems to be quite a defensive coach. We are quite difficult to break down although against the top teams we may still concede or give away PCs, because (unlike Malaysia) they are able to move the ball quicker or create spaces in the D, but this aspect is encouraging.

Some great play by us, but also some crazy stuff, including 2 needless yellows in Q3. Mandeep set up a goal, but was his usual self (running aimlessly and not really creating a meaningful press). He wasted a review for falling over. Akashdeep was also his usual self. Today, Shamsher played at their level too. Some of the pointless dribbling in dangerous places just won't go away.

Karthi was excellent, as was Hardik. Jarmanpreet and Amit played very well too. I have been critical of these 2, but not today.

[arjun2761]

Malaysia had won both their prior matches decisively, so this is a good win which puts us at the top of the table.

[sameerph]

We win 3-2 against Korea today. Still on the top of the table with 3 wins and a draw against Japan. Everyone else has lost at least 1 game.

[Saffron Lenin]

Managed to watch a live game after a long time. Very impressive win. Created lots of chances and gave away little in defence.

Fulton seems to be quite a defensive coach. We are quite difficult to break down although against the top teams we may still concede or give away PCs, because (unlike Malaysia) they are able to move the ball quicker or create spaces in the D, but this aspect is encouraging.

Some great play by us, but also some crazy stuff, including 2 needless yellows in Q3. Mandeep set up a goal, but was his usual self (running aimlessly and not really creating a meaningful press). He wasted a review for falling over. Akashdeep was also his usual self. Today, Shamsher played at their level too. Some of the pointless dribbling in dangerous places just won't go away.

Karthi was excellent, as was Hardik. Jarmanpreet and Amit played very well too. I have been critical of these 2, but not today.

To be honest, I started to like Fulton philosophy.....Very compact at defense, but very efficient in attack whenever got the chance!!!
Attack wins matches, defense wins tournaments

[Saffron Lenin]

Thump Pakistan hockey by 4-0....kick them out of semis

[arjun2761]

Always good to beat Pakistan! I think we get 4th placed Japan in the SFs -- they are the only team we didn't beat in the round robin phase. Good luck to Team India...

[ssp]

Pakistan had enough chances in the previous games to make it into the semis, but today they were outclassed. How many times did we it the other way round? They did all the stupid stuff we used to do- dribble for the sake of showing, lose the ball and then stand around as huge gaps in their midfield and defence opened up.

We could have doubled the score with some composure in their D.

Why the hell is Akashdeep being selected? He has been woeful, even by his own low standards. Missed a sitter, lost possession with lazy body position or just passed sloppily.

I can see us messing up one game here or at the Asian games because of the poor forward line or our maddening insistence of giving all the PCs to Harmanpreet. Sometimes, he is nullified by a quick 1st runner and it won't matter if we get a dozen PCs, we won't convert. His flicking is excellent, but his drag is too long (which gives the 1st runner an extra second to run down the flick) and he can't seem to alter that.

[Saffron Lenin]

Pakistan had enough chances in the previous games to make it into the semis, but today they were outclassed. How many times did we it the other way round? They did all the stupid stuff we used to do- dribble for the sake of showing, lose the ball and then stand around as huge gaps in their midfield and defence opened up.

We could have doubled the score with some composure in their D.

Why the hell is Akashdeep being selected? He has been woeful, even by his own low standards. Missed a sitter, lost possession with lazy body position or just passed sloppily.

I can see us messing up one game here or at the Asian games because of the poor forward line or our maddening insistence of giving all the PCs to Harmanpreet. Sometimes, he is nullified by a quick 1st runner and it won't matter if we get a dozen PCs, we won't convert. His flicking is excellent, but his drag is too long (which gives the 1st runner an extra second to run down the flick) and he can't seem to alter that.

I think this tournament is nail in the coffin for Akashdeep singh, he will not be selected for Asian games!!! Most probably, Abhishek will replace hime!!!

[PKBasu]

The Indian team seems to be gelling better as the tournament goes on. The draw with Japan at the beginning was a shock, but the 4-0 win over Pakistan was very good to see. (Helped by an early goal by Pak being overturned by the video review). Hopefully, we'll sustain the momentum all the way to the title, and not give in to our old affliction of doing badly in knockout matches.

[jayakris]

I think this tournament is nail in the coffin for Akashdeep singh, he will not be selected for Asian games!!! Most probably, Abhishek will replace him!!!

Aren't you being overly optimistic?

[Saffron Lenin]

I think this tournament is nail in the coffin for Akashdeep singh, he will not be selected for Asian games!!! Most probably, Abhishek will replace him!!!

Aren't you being overly optimistic?

No!!! I am being realistic here...

[sameerph]

5-0 thrashing of Japan in the SF. I saw parts of the match and we were running all over Japan with move after move. Manpreet in particularly from midfield was superb and there was a super goal from Sumit.

Except for that 1 league match against Japan wee have been way ahead of other Asian opponents in this tournament.

[ssp]

Very good all round performance. Sumit's goal was brilliant. A clean sheet is always welcome. Let's hope we can take this level of play into the final.