Will India regain a spot on the podium? The relevance to this poser lies in the sad fact that India missed it for the first time in the last chapter at Doha.
More importantly, the team not merely needs to step on to the podium but be on top of that to gain entry for the Olympics in 2012.
All these emphasize the enormity of the task that lies before Rajpal Singh and his men as they step in to take on Hong Kong China in the opening game on Monday.
On paper, the squad looks fit, confident and well composed. At least six — goal-keeper Chetri, Halappa, Gurbaj, Rajpal, Tushar and Shivendra — who experienced the agony of missing out on the medal count at Doha continue to be part of the team. In fact, this is a hat-trick of appearance for the seasoned Chetri.
Equally, it is a testing time for coach, Jose Brasa. His tenure is likely to slip into memory by the end of this month. Brasa is thirsting to show what he means to the national team.
With so much at stake, a striking show is what the aficionados are hungering for in this Asiad. The challenges are many. The team needs to take on Pakistan again for the fourth time this year, overcome the ever-improving Japan and claim full points with a reasonable goal quota against Bangladesh and Hong Kong in Pool B.
Sandeep factor
It goes without saying and never goes without being said that goals eventually decide the fate. For this, India is bound look up to the lethal striker, Sandeep Singh.
But even more important is the functioning of the frontline in not only creating the chances but earning a good number of penalty corners for Sandeep to show his mettle.
Again, there is no denying that this team is capable of beating anyone on the contemporary scene. The silver at the recent Commonwealth Games is tainted by the disgraceful reverse against the Australia in the final.
Swinging to the extremes is a blot on consistency that India must obliterate. A well calibrated, mature and meaningful approach, assessing each match in a proper perspective will bring in best results.
Pakistan is bracing to erase the odium of its defeats. The hiring of Michel van Heuvel from the Netherlands, seeking the support of Sohail Abbas to shore up the morale and ceaseless talk of avenging the reverses show a desperation to succeed. Admittedly, Pakistan is an unpredictable side with Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi capable of turning the tide any time.
After the two bronze medals in 1966 and 1970, Japan is yet to be in the medal bracket. There is a marked improvement in its showing after the induction of a foreign coach, a Dutch national from Surinam. The win against Netherlands and the drawn verdict against India in the Masters-four nation are significant results.
Defending champion, Korea, in line for a hat-trick for the gold, China, before the home crowd, and the six-time bronze medallist, Malaysia have to fight it out for the two spots from Pool A. The Malaysians who usually oscillate from the brilliant to bad are gearing up to improve their showing after the none-too-impressive show in the CWG.
Everything points out to an intense struggle for points, who gets the maximum is the intriguing question.
The Pools: A: Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Oman; B: Pakistan, India, Japan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong China.
