The Sports-India Community

I think both finalists did better than us on:

1. keeping their defensive structure for the full 60 mins, tackling much more cleanly so fewer PCs given away
2. have brilliant forwards (we are very weak in this area) who not only create chances but hold the ball up very well. Our guys keep losing the ball and produce nothing from most circle entries
3. making far fewer unforced errors all over the pitch
4. their keepers were absolutely brilliant -unfortunately, Sreejesh let in a few soft goals
5. our PC conversions were low compared to the Argentinians
6. We do not possess enough quality in every positions and carry 3 or 4 pretty weak players
7. Our composure, decision making and discipline is poor

Keep in mind NZ almost reached the semis as well.

We are not too far behind Belgium and Australia (in non Olympic competition) if we were performing consistently at the level of first 3 matches and CT.

Our problem is mental fragility both in game and between games after a poor result. Have we ever come back to win a game in the last 5-10 minutes?

A lot of it is the lack of technical consistency in our players.

There are no playoffs for the lower-ranking positions this time, it seems. So we have finished 8th, because we had 7 points (same as NZ in the other group, but a worse goal-difference). That draw with Canada was really costly!

SSP, I disagree with regard to Sreejesh. He might have given in 1-2 soft goals but he also saved quite a few which could have gone in. I think he is one of the higher performers in the team.

Yes, out attack barring Sunil was poor. They just do not know what to do after they get inside or near the circle. So, couple of good players are badly needed there.

We did beat Argentina in the group match. What did we do well in that match if Argentina is so hard to beat ?

We did beat Argentina in the group match. What did we do well in that match if Argentina is so hard to beat ?

For the first 3 quarters of our game v Argentina, we kept our shape, discipline and cut down our usual silly errors, which gave us good possession, but the last quarter was pathetic, with cards, mistakes, panic and zero composure. Argentina improved as the tournament went on and we went into reverse.

Our inability to string together even 3 results together is really frustrating. I think, the mindset of our players (from so many years of defeats) is a bit negative against Germany, Holland and Australia. Against most other teams we seem to have a bit more belief. Argentina or Belgium don't worry about history. It helps if your players have great ability!

Germany wins bronze through penalty shoot out..

Argentina leads Belgium 3-1 at HT

Argentina wins Gold 4-2

So the only team to beat eventual gold winners Argentina was India?

Good to see a new winner and so pleased to see Argentina's success. The skills and speed of both teams were brilliant.
We can only dream of our teams performing like this under pressure. Even when it 3-2, Argentina defended with composure and kept the ball so well.

http://hockeypassion.in/5293-2/

I agree with Carvalho's assessment of hiring and firing coaches. I felt Walsh's sacking was just crazy.

Walsh's sacking was utterly asinine, and all of us were praying at the time that it somehow wouldn't happen. But our sports administrators remain incorrigible.