Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Ipoh (Malaysia), Already out of the summit clash, a misfiring India had to toil hard to get the better of a lowly Canada 5-3 and register their first win in the ongoing 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.
Rupinder Pal Singh (13th minute) and VR Raghunath (32nd) scored through penalty corners before Ramanadeep Singh (46th, 47th) scored two field goals, while Satbir Singh (49th) rounded off the tally with another field strike.
For Canada, who are ranked 15th in the world as compared to India’s ninth spot, Oliver Scholfield (43rd), Jagdish Gill (49th) and David Jameson (52nd) were the goal getters. Even though India had the better share of possession and ball control, they were far from impressive. For the fourth straight match, the Indians were guilty of missing numerous chances and their fragile backline as usual conceded soft goals.
In the presence of two big dragflick exponents in Raghunath and Rupinder, penalty corners are considered India’s strong point, but they cut a sorry figure in this department as well, utilising just two of the eight short corners that came their way today. Besides being new chief coach Paul van Ass’ first win after taking charge of the team, the only solace from today’s game was the performance of its forward line, who finally showed some form by scoring three fine field goals.
It was, however, Canada who had the first shy at the goal when they earned the game’s first penalty corner in the fifth minute but goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a double save to deny the opponents.
Minutes later India got their first scoring chance but Satbir was denied by the Canadian goalkeeper David Carter. Canada had another penalty corner in the ninth minute and Sreejesh was once again forced to come to the action to keep John Smythe’s flick away. Soon India mounted continuous raids into the Canada citadel and in the process earned three quick penalty corners, the last of which was converted by Rupinder in the 13th minute.
India’s weak defence a worry for coach Van Ass
The fragile backline has been India’s perennial problem and new chief coach Paul van Ass today admitted that the defence continues to be his major concern. “What worries me is the defence. The defence worried me before I came to India. That is one of my first concerns. Our defence is too bad. I think we lost a lot of games in the end phase earlier as well as in this tournament,” Van Ass said.
“We are simply not strong (in defence). We tend to lose our head (in pressure situation). But every game gives us a lesson. Of course it’s great if you win and get a lesson,” he added.
India earned as many as eight penalty corners against Canada today but managed to convert just two. But coach Van Ass said it’s not something which bothers him too much.
