Though 3-2 scoreline suggest India scraped through against Ireland, it's an important win first-up as the Indian hockey team could not have asked for a better start to their first Pool 'B match, writes Mervyn Fernandis
Jubilant Indian players celebrate after their 3-2 win over Ireland in their opening encounter at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday
The Indian hockey team could not have asked for a better start to their first Pool 'B match against Ireland at the Rio Olympics on Sunday. India won 3-2 and though score line may suggest that the Indians scraped through, it's the full points in the bag that matters considering they have succeeded in their competition opener, something previous Indian teams have struggled to achieve.
Jubilant Indian players celebrate after their 3-2 win over Ireland in their opening encounter at the Olympic Hockey Centre in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. Pic/AFP
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The Indians began well against the Irishmen, rotating the ball nicely and keeping possession, which is again a positive change from the teams of the past. The first-game nervousness was overcome by some crisp passing and it was heartening to see our players exhibit good stick skills in the opposition half. The rotation of players was managed perfectly by chief coach Roelant Oltmans.
I cannot remember any of our Olympic teams in the past having the luxury of three penalty corner specialists — V Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh and young Harmanpreet Singh. Importantly, Raghunath and Rupinder scored when it mattered most. We all know the significance of scoring goals and defending short corners in big events like the Olympics.
Before this team travelled to Rio, there were murmurs that Sardar Singh had lost the sharpness he once possessed. But against Ireland, he was at his usual best. Sardar controlled the game beautifully and one of his passes with his left hand, on the run to forward SK Uthappa, was a gem, but unfortunately wasn't capitalised on.
It was expected that Ireland would give the Indians very little space and frustrate them with some close marking and quick tackles. But none of that worked. In fact, and our boys were able to receive the ball comfortably almost always and made numerous inroads into the Ireland circle with ease.
SV Sunil was not at his usual best though. His dazzling burst of speed was missing. I hope there is no injury bothering this fine forward, who is known to have rattled many a defence almost single-handedly.
Speaking of injuries, we missed the versatile Birender Lakra, who did not make it to the team due to a knee injury he sustained during the Hockey India League. The team management made the right decision to leave him out. There have been instances in the past when we have carried injured players into big tournaments and they have ended up being liabilities. India face Olympic champions Germany today, and with a win in the bag first-up, it will be interesting to see what tactics Team India adopts now.
The writer was a member of India's 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal-winning hockey team
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