Asian champions trophy

[PKBasu]

Terrific performance hammering Malaysia 8-1 today. I saw the first 3 goals, which were quite brilliant. Rajkumar Pal demonstrated terrific stickwork to score the first. Araijit scored the second off an amazingly acute angle, and Jugraj had an accurate drag flick (albeit not a very speedy one) off a PC. Rajkumar Pal of course followed it up with two more to complete a hat-trick. I haven't see this degree of dominance of Asia by an Indian hockey team since the early 1970s on grass (natural turf).

[PKBasu]

It looks like a sweep for India to win Gold. Unless they lay an egg getting overconfident.

6 teams is far too few. I would like more teams, even if they are bad ones. They get playing time against the big boys and like AFG in cricket, they may become good. The bad ones don't get into the playoffs or the next round.

It's not called "Champions Trophy" for nothing. The Asian Games has many teams, the Asia Cup (when held) does too. But this, by definition, is for the best six teams (just as the original Champions Trophy was for the best six teams in the world). The round robin format ensures that all teams participating get a lot of matches.

[PKBasu]

Watched the rest of the match too. There was another PC conversion -- this time by Harmanpreet. I think we are using the opportunity to give others (apart from Harmanpreet) to test their ability to convert PCs. This was a really dominant performance, and Rajkumar Pal was very impressive with his hat-trick. Vivek Prasad's goal was terrific too. I don't know if we can score as many field goals against better-organised teams, but we are doing that very well at the moment. After making it 8-1 after the third quarter, we basically relaxed and defended that lead in the final quarter.

[jayakris]

So, is anybody looking like an alternative to Harmanpreet in PC? He is good and seems to convert some key PCs but has not been great in conversion percentage, if I am not mistaken.

[PKBasu]

Harmanpreet was the top goal scorer in the Olympics -- I think he had 8 goals, vs 5 for the next best. His conversion rate may not be that great (particularly because some of the best teams have mastered the art of defending PCs), but he is the best around
Jugraj is the key alternative. Sanjay converted at least one PC here and at the Olympics. Amit Rohidas is the key stopper, but sometimes converts PCs too. But Harmanpreet is head and shoulders ahead of the others, so giving others a chance to improve is one of the goals at Moqi (in China-occupied Inner Mongolia).

[PKBasu]

India are through to the SF with that flawless record after 3 matches.

Korea are second with a 3-2 win over China, and two 2-2 draws against Pakistan and Japan.
Pakistan are equal on points with Korea, having drawn 5-5 with Malaysia and beaten Japan 2-1.
China are 4th, with 1 win (4-2 against Malaysia).

I hope we sustain our form against Korea and Pakistan -- and especially in the two knock-out matches thereafter.

[ssp]

Harmanpreet has been excellent since I first saw him at the Sultan Johor Cup back in 2015 (maybe it was 2016).

However, he can be negated by a fast 1st runner. This is because to generate power his drag is a bit too long. As a back up, we have Jugraj, Sanjay, Amit and also Araijeet Hundal. Jugraj is pure power, but lacks accuracy. Sanjay looked good at U21 level. Amit's body position just looks awkward when he flicks, but has converted a few over the years. I've only seen Araijeet take PCs at U21.

[Sanjay]

Can we score 10+ against the Pakis?

your's mouth inside clarified butter and sugar

[PKBasu]

India are up 2-0 at the end of the first quarter against Korea. A field goal by Araijeet Hundal in the 8th minute, followed by a PC conversion by Harmanpreet soon afterwards.

[PKBasu]

Poor second quarter for India. Korea score off a PC to make it 2-1 at half-time. We need to up our game in the second half.

[PKBasu]

Relief for us, as Harmanpreet converts a drag flick with two minutes to go in the third quarter. 3-1 India

That is international goal number 201 for Harmanpreet!

India dominated that quarter, but muffed up a few chances. Gurjot missed a field goal chance in the centre of the D created for him by Sukhjeet and Rajkumar. Earlier, a PC was wasted by Vivek trapping poorly. Early in the quarter, Raheel had a good solo run up the field and down the baseline into the D, but took a shot at goal instead of passing it (an old Indian malady that I thought had been eliminated by Fulton); he missed.

[PKBasu]

Korea have a PC in the first minute of the final quarter, which is brilliantly saved by goalie Karkera.

India a bit too passive and defensive in the final quarter. Karkera saves another attempt at goal. 3 more minutes to go.

[PKBasu]

India beat Korea 3-1, although this was a less assured performance than the previous three matches.

[PKBasu]

The early goals have been crucial to stamping our dominance in most of the matches. Today, the first goal was a beautiful team effort, Vivek and Abhishek participating in some great stickwork, and getting the ball to Araijeet Hundal near the top of the D, and he took a quick, rasping shot that easily beat the shell-shocked Korean goalie. The second, soon after, was a masterpiece of a drag flick from Harmanpreet.

But there were long passages of less exciting play -- particularly in the second half. We need to keep the momentum going, especially in the final pool match on Saturday against Pakistan, and then in the two knockout matches.

[Sanjay]

PAK beat China 5-1.
Now what? Loans get canceled?