New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team faces its sternest test against Canada on Wednesday but the incentive of getting close to the final of the Olympic qualifiers should spur on Michael Nobbs' boys to go for the kill. And like their male colleagues, the Indian women also play a tough match against South Africa, where a win will more or less take them through to the finals.
Nobbs' team has so far looked unbeatable in the tournament and the flair was at its best against France on Tuesday, when the hosts completed a hat-trick of wins to go clear at top of the standings. But Canada – who are currently second on the points table – could dish out the stiffest challenge India have faced thus far.
Like India, the Canadian forwards too have been on song in the tournament, especially in their last match. They beat a lowly Singapore 15-1 on Tuesday, which is exactly the same scoreline that India enjoyed against the tournament's punching bag. Before making that statement, the Canadians had mauled Italy 9-0 in their opening encounter but lost a closely-fought match to Poland 3-2; however, a better goal difference saw them leapfrog France and Poland to the second spot.
Mark Pearson and Rob Short (5 goals each) are expected to test an untested Indian defence, while four penalty-corner conversions by Scott Tupper makes him a dangerous customer.
India will definitely rely on the power of Sandeep Singh's drag-flicks after his hat-trick against France made him the tournament's leading goal-scorer with seven. The hosts have so far scored a mammoth 29 goals in the tournament in victories against Singapore (15-1), Italy (8-1) and France (6-2) that has delighted their coach no end.
"It was almost perfect and a clinical performance. We showed a lot of intensity and I am happy. It is roughly the score I was looking for before the match," a beaming Nobbs said after the 6-2 win over France.
SV Sunil, Tushar Khandekar and Shivender Singh have been excellent for India in the flanks and the hosts will rely on their speed and skill to breach the Canadian defence. However, Indian defenders will have to stay on guard as an attacking ploy could leave some holes and Canada have the guile to exploit those.
Indian women share the top spot with South Africa. A win for either team will steer them clear of the rest of the pack and more or less assure a place in the final. India's better goal difference of +6 as opposed to +3 of South Africa's holds Asunta Lakra’s girls in good stead, but the poor rate of penalty-corner conversion is keeping coach CR Kumar worried.
"Penalty corners remain an area of concern. We are not earning enough penalty corners and not even converting them. We need to work on this areas," Kumar said after his team beat Poland 3-0 on Tuesday.
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