An India vs Pakistan contest on the hockey field revives good old memories though at the Asian Games it’s going to be all about who can play harder and win. This is one contest which deserves all the hype not just because of the style of play but also the fortunes in recent times.Hockey fans in India are lucky that in 2010, twice these teams competed against each other in the capital at the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games and the hosts won both times. That apart, India also beat Pakistan in the Azlan Shah tournament this year in Ipoh.
Reality is that when the two teams meet in Pool B on Saturday at the Aoti Sports Complex, there is no scope for reflecting on past glory or recent results but starting with a clean slate. Enough has happened in Indian hockey this year, with the huge thrashing at the hands of Australia in the Commonwealth Games final a nightmare which is tough to forget.
Two easy wins in the group stage against weak opponents like Hong Kong and Bangladesh means nothing to assess where the Indians stand. Coaches Jose Brasa and Harendra Singh have repeatedly said that lack of match practice after the Commonwealth Games has been a huge handicap. However, Pakistan have also not come in with any big preparation.
Whether one looks at it as a desperate measure or relying on the old guard, the Pakistan Hockey Federation had to recall drag flick expert Sohail Abbas and seasoned goalkeeper Salman Akbar. In a country where the cricket and hockey federations do not hesitate in the hire-and-fire policy, it’s clear that with so much at stake in the Asian Games, Pakistan are dying to win against India.
Two decades ago, Pakistan won the Asian Games title in Beijing. As four-time world champions now seeking redemption, they have in Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi players who can trouble the Indians.
Their deep defence will be marshalled by skipper Zeeshan Ashraf and Mohammad Imran, who also has a decent penalty corner conversion record. As for India’s attack, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker and captain Rajpal Singh will spearhead the attack. Till now, Sandeep Singh has been in good form though the big day is against Pakistan.
Harendra said that the boys had a good practice session on Friday. “Our advice to the Indian team is to play from the head and not the heart. There is no place for being emotional in such big contests,” he said.
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