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Journalism of Courage
PESHAWAR, FEB 19: The Indian penalty corner drills have become a hot topic of debate in the Pakistani leg of the Indo-Pak hockey Test series. In two matches, the visitors have forced 25 penalty corners but have managed to convert just one.
Almost every time the Indians have assembled at the rival circle for a penalty corner, their body language has betrayed uncertainty and lack of self-belief. The long-drawn sequences that should find the cage have inevitably ended either at the goalkeeper’s pads, or a defender’s stick. The abject failure to come to terms with penalty corners will prey heavily on the minds of the Indian players as they get ready to fight another battle in the nine-match series at the Lala Ayub Khan Hockey Stadium here tommorrow.
That Pakistan have already sealed the series 5-1, has meant lack of interest in the city of Pathans, which saw a full house in the encounter last year. But then, last year’s clash in Peshawar marked the revival of Test series between the sub-continent’s giantsafter a decade. This time around there are no crowd pullers, and the series is already limping towards its end.
While missed chances may be an issue that has left the Indians sulking, there are some other grey areas, that need quick attention. First comes the havoc Pakistani counter-attacks have created. The Pakistanis have allowed Indians to enter their territory and surprised them with fast break attacks that have produced scintillating goals, and some that should have been nipped at the 25-yard line.
While the Indian leg saw most of the Pakistani attacks come from the right flank, the tight marking of talented outside right Mohammed Irfan, has seen Naveed Asim taking on a lot of burden on the left. In sharp contrast, the Indians have failed to find the right combination upfront. Baljit Singh Dhillon has been impressive, but he has lacked support so far. Rajesh Chauhan, on the left, has been his busy self, but he strangely continues to flounder near the rival circle after doing all the hard work.Striker Gagan Ajit Singh, after three goals in the first two matches, has been reduced to a mere spectator by tight Pak marking. The Indians also have worries in the defence. Dilip Tirkey has been solid as ever, but captain Anil Aldrin and replacement Lazarus Barla have failed to provide the same level of confidence and consistency.
Tommorrow, the Indians will not only need to keep the swift Pakistani forwards in check, bit also make the most of the chances apart from penalty corners that come their way. Pakistan recovered well after the Chennai setback, and now the Indians need to get their homework right.
