Korea is fast, good, but under pressure, too

Korea8217;s strength is speed, and trustful is the essence of their game that is based on sheer physical fitness. They will run you ragged and are capable of doing this the entire game without any let up. Extremely quick in the circle and exceptionally good at converting half chances, they do not play small pushes or passes. Even if they have to pass a ball five yards, they do it with a hit. By this they achieve quickness in the release as well as make the opposition take evasive action thereby not permitting the positioning for proper defensive duties.

When the whistle is blown they will restart the game very quickly giving you absolutely no time to regroup 8212; again they are working towards gaining numerical advantage. Their long penetrative balls used for the counter-attacks as well as their capability to blast balls into the circle from 35/40 yards out to their roving strikers for a tip-in, deflection or a shot at goal are well-known.

What we should do?

Control: Break their rhythm by slowing the game down and controlling the tempo.

Width: They will try and compress the top of the circle and not give us room to manoeuvre for a clear shot at the goal. We need to ensure more width in attack. This will stretch their defence and gaps will be available for our players to release the ball or to easily penetrate.

Switching: Rotation of the ball is one of the best ploys to open up tight defences. However, when doing it against teams that are fleet-footed the the ball must not be held, maximum 1-2 touches preferably with quick releases. This will be more beneficial whilst rotating the ball from one wing to the other.

Ringing the free hit: When they have a 16-yard hit especially from the flanks area, force them into pockets by marking out their pass options. There is a strong possibility that they will play the ball back and go via the sweeper route to rotate the ball and remove it out of defence. Leave that gap open with Dhanraj or Mukesh ready to pounce as soon as the ball is relayed. However, for a centre of the D free-hit the half court press would be more beneficial.

Check out the umpires: One must know what is the style of the umpires and adapt accordingly. For example, German umpires will never permit you to raise your stick over the head of the other player after you have dribbled past him, even if the foul is yours, he will change his decision and blow against you.

Defensive duties: The cardinal rule of any defender is safety first more so when we are in the lead. We cannot repeat the mistakes that we have done in our first two encounters. For example, keeping possession and not giving it up easily. Hustle and hurry them into releasing the ball by using crowding tactics and getting close to the opposition thereby curtailing space available to them.

Releasing pressure via the areal route: Not by pushing up too many supporting players, rather by using one or two strikers via the counter-attack whilst the rest should really be back in numbers.

No ball should be relayed from the flanks towards the top of the circle. Let them earn and fight for a penalty corner, no favours to be rendered. Their flickers Woon Kon Yeo and Kim Yong Bae are good. Mark their target men who are roving around the 25, especially Seong Song Tae.

Ball-watching must end immediately. When a player of ours is concentrating on the move in front of him and the opposition player decides to make a move behind him, then it is the onus of the last man the goalkeeper, right half, left half to communicate this move. Otherwise, the ball could be passed to the unmarked player who will be totally free.

Goalkeeper Jude: Although you are having a super tournament, do take a half step back before logging and you will not be caught on the run. Besides do extend your feet fully when logging.

Hey guys, the hunger is there, everybody can see it. Go for it, you can beat anyone.