Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: India aim to maintain winning run

Hulunbuir (China)

India’s new-found ability to score field goals will be crucial as the defending champions will look to extend their winning streak when they face Malaysia in

the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Wednesday.

Field-goal conversion was a key concern during India’s bronze medal-winning campaign at the Paris Olympics last month, where they netted 15 goals but managed only three from open play.

It even prompted the legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who retired after the Games, to stress the need for improvement in this area.

Coming into the tournament after securing their second successive bronze at the Olympics, India are looking a more enterprising side, grabbing opportunities up front with a rock solid defence in place. India started their title defence with a 3-0 win over hosts China before thrashing Japan 5-1 in their next league match on Monday.

Out of the eight goals India have scored, seven have come from open play, with young drag-flicker Sanjay converting a penalty corner against Japan.

Young striker Sukhjeet Singh, who was part of the Paris Olympics squad, has been phenomenal, scoring three field goals, while Abhishek and Uttam Singh have added two each from open play.

Going by world status and current form, India are favourites to reclaim the title, having won the tournament four times before.

The first two matches witnessed strong performances from the young Indian forwards, which meant star dragflicker and skipper Harmanpreet Singh had to do very little.

In contrast, last-edition’s runners-up Malaysia are languishing at the penultimate position with one loss and a draw. Despite the strong start, the Indians can ill afford to take any side lightly as they begin a new Olympics cycle.