Champions Trophy hockey: Poor PC conversion and injuries led to India’s undoing against Australia

India’s third match in the tournament against Australia was billed to be a blockbuster. And, it was. The momentum swung both ways, the teams were relentless in their attack and counterattack and the pace was incredible on a hot day at Breda. The 2-3 scoreline rightly suggests that the contest was a close one but the the men in blue would be a tad disappointed of not being able at least to salvage a draw after starting the campaign with two straight wins – against arch-rivals Pakistan and Olympic champions Argentina.

In the last 10 minutes, Harendra Singh’s men raised their levels and attacked brilliantly. When it came down to less than five minutes, they gambled by taking away goalkeeper PR Sreejesh to allow themselves an extra attacking option. With two goals down, it was understandable that they were going for a draw at least. But with an unguarded net against the Kookaburras, they could have worsened their goal difference, which might be crucial in the end. But through their only successful penalty corner, India narrowed the margin to 2-3 even though they couldn’t continue their undefeated streak.

The poor conversion rate of penalty corners has been a long-standing problem with the Indian team. They had converted just 21.8 percent of their penalty corners in the Asia Cup title triumph at Dhaka last year. In the HWL Finals the percentage, once again, was sub-30. In the Commonwealth Games, wherein they finished without a medal, India converted only 10 of their 39 chances.

Australia, too, aren’t renowned for their penalty corner conversion. But this is why India need to strengthen this aspect of the game. For, even if they can’t beat them in speed or fitness, they can sneak a goal through a penalty corner.

Against Pakistan, coach Harendra Singh asked his players to “pass-run-pass-run” to test the opposition’s fitness and tire them in the final quarter. It made their defence vulnerable and India capitalised and took a lead.

But the Australians are one of the fittest sides in the world. And, the same strategy wouldn’t pay dividends. Their defence was indefatigable under pressure from 11 Indian players in the final quarter. The Indians could breach it once only through a penalty corner. They could have drawn the match had they converted their ninth and the final PC with less than a minute to full-time.

Having two of the best exponents of drag-flicking in the dressing room – Chris Ciriello and Jugraj Singh – should improve India’s penalty corner woes, believes Harendra Singh. But with the Asian Games looming, this problem needs to be solved soon.

Ramandeep missing and Manpreet’s injury

On the attacking front, India probably misse.d the presence of Ramandeep Singh.

The striker was instrumental in his side’s victory against Pakistan, setting up a goal and scoring one. India coped with his absence against Argentina by maintaining their defensive structure for most part of the game. And, a moment of brilliance from teenager Dilpreet Singh – full of guile and dexterity – helped, too. But in several counter-attacking moves, the speed and strength of Ramandeep was missed. His absence was more conspicuous in Wednesday’s match against Australia.

To add to that, Manpreet Singh, too, hasn’t fully recovered from the injury he carried from the last game. And, he wasn’t at his best. He along with Sardar Singh are the central playmakers of the team. With Manpreet injured – and off the field for a while following a yellow card – the Australians found it easy to focus on Sardar and cramp him.

Australia, who were faster and fitter than India’s previous opponents, disturbed the defensive structure of the Indians with sheer pace. Once they got the ball, they speared into the middle of the defence and controlled the game from there. They had 13 shots on goal in the match – five more than India. If not for some of Sreejesh’s brilliant saves, the defending champions would have won by a bigger margin.