IPOH (MALAYSIA), April 7 (PTI): Stung by the shocking draw against debutants Egypt in the opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament, India will have to pull up their socks and come out all guns blazing against in-form Malaysia in their second round robin encounter here tomorrow.
India, eight-time Olympic champions, put up a shoddy performance against newcomers Egypt, conceding a last-gasp goal to settle for a 2-2 on Sunday. On the contrary, the hosts’ confidence is sky high after registering back-to-back victories in the five-nation tournament.
Malaysia scampered past Pakistan 3-2 on Sunday before outplaying Egypt 4-1 yesterday and a win tomorrow will seal their place in the final, leaving India, New Zealand and Egypt to slug out for the other spot.
Pakistan, the other team in the event, has already been ruled out of the summit clash after they slumped to their second successive defeat yesterday.
And India could end up joining Pakistan on the sidelines if they don’t win tomorrow’s all-important tie as even a draw won’t help their cause because New Zealand will take on lowly Egypt in the other match.
A win for the Kiwis and defeat or draw for India tomorrow, will more or less take the last year’s runner-up out of the summit clash equation and coach Harendra Singh admitted it was a desperate situation.
“We will continue to play attacking hockey and go for the win. A win tomorrow can only keep us in the fray for the final. We can’t think about any other option,” he said on the eve of the all-important match.
“India has to show their character. We will play simple hockey tomorrow but with confidence,” he added.
Although India (10th) are five spots ahead of Malaysia in world rankings, the Sandeep Singh-led side will have to produce a disciplined performance to crack the hosts, who will be hoping to carry on their winning streak before the home crowd.
Most importantly, pressure would be on veteran Dilip Tirkey-led Indian defence which, in the recent past, has faltered time and again in the dying stages of the match, but Harendra said although it’s a matter of worry, he is more concerned about India’s low rate of penalty corner conversion. ASSAM TRIBUNE
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