After India men’s hockey team win Asian Games gold, book Paris Olympics berth with 5-1 thrashing of Japan, coach Craig Fulton says “we can perform under pressure”.
Hangzhou (China): Harmanpreet Singh went down on his knees, kissed the turf and pounded his chest. A heavily-strapped Mandeep Singh danced on one leg. Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, India’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony, walked around calmly; not indulging in any over-the-top celebrations, a special report by Mihir Vasavda in the Indian Express, says
He was among the first of many Indians to hug Japanese goalkeeper Takumi Kitagawa, who wept inconsolably after the last edition’s gold medallists failed to defend their Asian Games title.
A 5-1 humbling of 2018 champions Japan ensured India’s return to the top of the Asian Games podium after nine years. But if Incheon 2014 was India’s first big step towards resurgence, Hangzhou 2022 – or 2023 – is a statement performance.
India played seven, won seven, scored 68 goals and conceded nine. They hammered Pakistan 10-2, were pushed to the limit by South Korea but still emerged victorious by a comprehensive 5-2 margin and gave Japan no hope of winning two times they played.
This is a golden coronation that comes with more expectations and heightened ambitions. The kind of show that will give rise to the hope that the colour of the medal India won in Tokyo will be upgraded in Paris, given that the gold medal also sealed the Olympic spot.
This is a stirring moment for the rising stature of the Harmanpreet-led side in world hockey. More so, because of the quick turnaround of fortunes after this year’s World Cup debacle in January.
Back then, India looked lost and listless. They were without a coach and bereft of self-belief. An Asian Games gold medal looks taken for granted now. At the time when the team finished lower than South Korea, the path to the podium in Hangzhou looked hazy.
But then came Craig Fulton.
India played seven, won seven, scored 68 goals and conceded nine. They hammered Pakistan 10-2, were pushed to the limit by South Korea but still emerged victorious by a comprehensive 5-2 margin and gave Japan no hope of winning two times they played.
A plumber earlier in life, the South African has taken it upon himself to plug India’s leaky defence – the cause of many a downfall. While that might still be a work in progress, he’s achieved a lot more in a short span – as the flush of goals suggests.
Reluctant to try out new things, Indian players seem to have embraced Fulton’s philosophies and strategies even though they are, at times, at odds with their first instincts.
Through the Asian Games – and going back to the Asian Champions Trophy – the players have shown the ability to switch tactics midway in a match, defend leads and make comebacks, and be calm enough to move the ball around and find a gap in the defence rather than forcing their way forward.
They even get yelled at by Fulton on the pitch and don’t seem to mind – as Harmanpreet experienced when he got a dose after venturing on a solo trip against South Korea, lost the ball that led to a counter, with the defender out of his position.
India’s forwards also showed their mettle Hardik Singh continues his incredible rise within the team, emerging as the biggest creative spark in the midfield.
Mandeep is revelling in a slightly different role as an assist-provider inside the box rather than an out-and-out scorer; Abhishek is turning into a poacher India has yearned for; Lalit Upadhyay has found his scoring touch while Manpreet Singh is enjoying a second wind after a difficult few months.
But this win wasn’t entirely based on pure tactical tweaking.
India won the title because they, for the first time, openly addressed a deeper issue that was for decades considered taboo in a team of macho individuals.
There was an acknowledgement that the players first needed to conquer demons in their heads before they conquered opponents on the field.
And so, Fulton, who was earlier attached with MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup- winning side, was brought on board
“We can perform under pressure,” Fulton said, something not many coaches in the past have dared to claim about Indian hockey. “It’s been a massive squad effort, all the staff has put in a huge shift.”
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