Now field hockey is not synonymous with glitz and glamour in many regions its been played. Over the years what used to be a primarily asian dominant sport of flair in 80’s and 90’s growing up , has dissolved for a better word into a european game .Some of the changes have tried to make it different from a sport of 2 halves of 35 minutes with quarters of 15 replacing it. The penalty shoot out also has changed. No longer the strokes are used but an ice hockey version of a running motions are attempted.
The branding of the sport is such that Champions Trophy an annual tourney of six best teams originating in Pakistan has also ended . An asian offshoot of it ,the Asian champions trophy, started in 2011 as teams in Asia expanded the game.Now in its 8th edition, it travelled upto north eastern mongolian borders of China in Hulunbuir. In addition to the hosts, defending champs India , Korea, Japan , Malaysia and Pakistan took part.
The Pakistani team who had won this tourney on three previous occasions had found recent decade quite daunting in terms of even reaching world tourney. With no particaption in the pro league ,the olympic and world cup non qualifications meant tourneys like these take on added importance.They faced challenges not only with India but Japan and Korea. They haven’t had much success with either of them as recently.
The favourites India eased into three quick wins. Pakistan on the other hand had leads in all their group games. They lost leads versus Malaysia and Korea for 2-2 draws. In the game vs Japan, they finally preserved the lead in a painful 4th quarter which they struggled to hold onto.They took a 2-1 win.They were much stronger against the hosts and marched into the semis with a convincing 4-1 win.
India eased their way to wins in all games and this theme continued all throughout minus their game with Pakistan. Although I expected a thrashing or somewhat similar scoreline from asian games in Hangzhou last year when they won 10-2, it was almost the opposite. Pakistan started well and attacked. They scored first as well. The pace and momentum changed as India used its initial penalty corners to good effect.They took a 2-1 lead at the half. The second half was superb Pakistan lost two of its men to penalties losing nearly 15 minutes of action. Still the defence was good and denied any goals in the shorthandedness. Both teams ended with 10 men. India prevailed but a great display of valour shown by the Greenshirts. It was India ‘s toughest test by far.
In the knockouts though, Greenshirts met their match. China not to be subdued with a home crowd backing took the lead and weren’t affected by the leveller. Not able to capitalise , the game went into the a shootout. Pakistan missed all the attempts and played the worst shootout ever. India managed to win the semi vs korea to advance to the final where they were able to out manoeuvre the hosts 1-0 to defend their crown.
In the bronze medal game, however, they played well. Korea took the lead. Pakistan struck back with a plethora of goal in third quarter and led Korea again 3-2. It ended 5-2 as both Hannan and Sufyan bagged two goals each. The attacking was obvious. It was the second time in the tourney that Pakistan reversed the korean lead within seconds.
For the Greenshirts, another blown semifinal. It wasn’t really news but they could have played better the cluthc moments. Thats what tourneys come down to. Those clutch moments. When you Penalty corners dont materialise and your shootouts are weak, it will result in falling back in the tide.
As for the positives, Tahir Zaman’s induction has helped the team. Hannan Shahid and Sufiyan Khan alongside Ahmad Nadeem were excellent throughout. Hannan bagging the emerging player of the tourney last year now had a six goal tourney. Nadeem had 4 goals of his.
For the reset to happen though, Pakistan need to be better than this. Their youngsters are good but willl need grooming.Their penalty corners have to improve. Their shoot outs also look a lot to be desired for as they have been found wanting at this.The discipline at times with penalties is another factor as time in the sinbin can be costly for defence. Having said that, it was good to see a fresh breath of their flair in field hockey.
Sportsfan Says 