The 145;D146; Factor will be THE factor

India have still not shown peak form in the meet so far and though they have won three matches they have looked far from solid. Coach Rajinder Singh8217;s explanation that there was 8216;8216;pressure to qualify8217;8217; is hardly convincing since the other Olympic medal contenders 8212; Spain, Pakistan and Holland 8212; appear totally prepared.

Fortunately, though, they are more familiar with the Dutch now. But at the same time, the favourites have slipped into ominous form, proving that they have further improved in recent times under new Australian coach Terry Walsh. India played Holland recently at the three-Test series at home last month, which the Dutch won 2-0.

But from the Indian point of view, they would rather recall their 2002 Cologne Champions Trophy match. Though India couldn8217;t pull off a win, they led 3-2 till five minutes from time, and that remains India8217;s best show against the Dutch in a long time. Similarly, they would want to forget the Amstelveen CT match, which they lost 3-4 despite leading 3-0 till the 64th minute.

The discipline in performance can only come from advance planning 8212; the Indians have won three, drawn one and lost the other to Pakistan in the pool, conceding 13 goals. Holland have conceded just six goals so far, scoring 23.

The palpable difference can be contributed mainly to the superior training system followed by the Dutch team. On the other hand, the Indian thinktank have put the entire burden on their two main forwards 8212; Gagan Ajit Singh and Deepak Thakur. The duo have scored heavily in the tournament so far against the other teams but will be heavily marked by the much superior and robust Dutch defenders.

Normally one expects the team8217;s penalty corner specalists to share the responsibility for scoring goals along with the forwardline. But unlike the specialists from the other teams, the Indians have managed to convert just three of the 15 PCs they have earned so far. To add to their woes, the Indian defence has conceded 28 PCs so far.

It is mainly because the thinktank does not plan for countering specific opponents that the pressure on the defence cannot be handled by just two defenders and three midfielders. As is the modern practice, the entire team needs to defend collectively; even Pakistan have adopted this tactic under Dutch coach Roalent Oltmans.

India8217;s goalkeeping has come under pressure only once so far, against Pakistan, but otherwise Devesh Chauhan has looked assured. However, the Dutch with their two quality drag-pushers 8212; Taeke Taekema and Bram Lomans 8212; have displayed a different strategy for PCs in this meet: They have been taking the PC indirectly instead of immediately rushing for the drag-push. And from the Indian point of view, the pressure will doubled, seeing that against Pakistan they had to contend with only Sohail Abbas.