The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : India faces China in a must-win match

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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India faces China in a must-win match

Kuantan (Malaysia): Defending champion India will be under tremendous pressure and will have to come out all guns blazing when it takes on China in its do-or-die last pool match of the Asia Cup hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

Stung by its first loss to Pakistan after 2006 Commonwealth Games, India faces a must-win situation against the nimble-footed Chinese as even a draw will show see India crash out with China progressing to the semifinals from Pool B as the second best team along with Pakistan.

With a draw against China in its opening match and then Sunday’s 3-2 victory over India, Pakistan has already booked its place in the last four, being the group topper.

Under pressure

India coach-in-charge Harendra also admitted that his side would be under pressure, and said there was only one way out for India — victory.

“Yes, we are under tremendous pressure and any how we will have to win our match against China. We will go out attacking from the start,” he said.

Skipper Sandeep Singh, who was the player of the tournament during India’s Azlan Shah triumph last month, was a disappointment against Pakistan as he has failed to convert a single penalty corner out of the five India earned, but Harendra was in no mood to give much importance to the fact and said it was just an off-day for the drag-flicker.

“It’s a part and parcel of the game, one day you will click and on the other day you won’t. So, I don’t think it’s a worry for us. Sandeep is a world class player and I am hopeful he will come good tomorrow,” Harendra said.

The coach-in-charge also ruled out changes in the playing eleven against China. He said what let India down against Pakistan was missed chances.

“I have no complaints against the boys, they played really well. It’s just that we missed a couple of chances and they capitalised on their chances.” — PTI

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