How a mood of delight can transform into one of despair in quick time was reflected in the two devastating defeats suffered by India in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament.
After overwhelming Malaysia on Monday, there was a debate over the route for India, the defending champion with Korea, to figure in the fourth successive final.
On Thursday, consequent to the abominable 3-7 reverse against New Zealand following the 1-3 score with Pakistan, the discussion zeroed on whether India can at least take the sixth place. The consolation is that India cannot be out of the board. Malaysia is the lowest ebb but it can change if it beats Pakistan tomorrow or Britain outplays Korea.
Even granting that unpredictability is an integral part of competitive sport, the humiliation against the Kiwis was a painful reality. Interestingly, both against Pakistan and New Zealand, the Indian team enjoyed the initial advantage of moving first into the lead.
Worst disaster
Against the Kiwis it had that luxury more than once; to be precise, thrice. Yet it slumped into one of the worst ever disasters in its illuminating history.
The second half rout in both matches is explained away easily as the failure in the defensive zone, and most notably, under the bar. It is time for the coach and the players to introspect as to why this occurred in successive matches.
While inconsistency is accepted as one point, there is a school of thought that over elaboration in an effort to keep the ball in possession had cost the team dear. Times without number, the players resorted to back passing, giving the rivals enough time and space to run into.
With the defenders unable to take heavy pressure for long and perfection in trapping found wanting, such measures, beyond an acceptable measure, spelt disaster as the results clearly showed.
Too much stress on Mahadik in the deep defence, repeated errors in the mid-field and lack of cohesion among the layers coupled with poor alignment of the frontline when required drove the outfit into the abyss of devastation.
Enough pointers are available to make a critical evaluation of the seniors. Shivendra Singh as the pivot in the attack was a flop rendering the frontline little homogeneity.
Wing half Gurbaj Singh did no credit to his competence as generator of moves as did Vikram Pillay, who worked hard but without imagination. Sarwanjit was inadequate too pushing Arjun Halappa to take more than required work load. The form of the two goal-keepers, Adrian and Chetri, also proved evanescent.
The team returns home with a host of problems for the coach, whose tenure remains unsure now. The first step towards preparing to obtain an Olympic spot has not taken off in the anticipated way.
The FIH may have showered India with tournaments eyeing on the game's popularity and, of course, profit to fill its coffers.
But the question is whether India has the resources in terms of players' competence to match the FIH's expectations to complete its projects.
After beating Great Britain, the Aussies appear to edging towards regaining the Cup. The contender for the final against Australia could well be Britain, Pakistan or even New Zealand.
The position of teams:
Australia: Played 5, Won four, Drawn one, Lost nil, Goals for 14, goals against 6, Points 13; Britain 5-3-0-2-11-9-9; Pakistan 5-3-0-2-14-13-9; New Zealand 5-2-1-2-14-13-7; India 6-2-1-3-15-17-7; Korea 5-1-1-3-9-14-4; Malaysia 5-1-0-4-9-14-3.
Saturday day's matches: Britain vs Korea (1.35 p.m.), Pakistan vs Malaysia (3.35 p.m.); Australia vs New Zealand (5.35 p.m.).
