India’s performance in the last match at the Rio Olympics 2016
With the Rio Olympics having no classification matches, the positions were decided on the number of wins and goals scored in the league phase, India’s quarter-final loss turned out to be their last of the campaign. A look back at what transpired in India’s final match – the quarter final against Belgium.
The Singh is King celebration – Akashdeep celebrating his goal with fellow Singhs and teammates Ramandeep and Chinglensana.
India opened the scoring just at the stroke of the first quarter. VR Raghunath again with a superb through ball for Akashdeep to score India’s first goal and believe it or not it was a field goal! Again good contribution from Manpreet in the buildup to this goal.
A double save from PR Sreejesh at start of the 2nd quarter showed time and again why he is called the wall for India and one of the finest goalkeepers in the game right now. India’s defense was tested here.
Sreejesh was in top form with his acrobatic saves throughout the tournament
SV Sunil dribbled and mazed his way past 2-3 players to find Sardar whose backhand shot from the right was intercepted at the top of the circle. Sardar found Devindar on the flanks who passed it to Ramandeep only for Elliot nicknamed Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) to foil another move from India. Ramandeep scooped a good ball on the left flank for SV Sunil to Nikkin just missing to put a stick to it. Sunil later found Akashdeep whose tomahowk (reverse hit) was powerful but not on target.
India had deliberately slowed the game by taking time on every foul. It was perfect game management to kill the game and make it work on your advantage. Oltmans has to be given all credit for marshalling his troops, instilling belief in them lifting their morale every time when they had lost all self confidence.
The key midfield battle to thwart Sardar Singh to play freely and dictate terms
A ball in to the D for Belgium and Sreejesh saves that was close shave,only to give in to the pressure at the end to concede a penalty corner. The ball deflected from the stick for a long corner and the half time whistle to go off. At the end of half time, flawless from India!
India had 3 field goal chances compared to 4 for Belgium at the end of the half. How ironic a team devoid of any field goals scores one and the other gets a chance from a penalty corner insead, their weakness so far! Same goes to Belgium who have done the bulk of the scoring from field goals, earned a penalty corner instead which they failed to convert.
The all important 2nd half
The game resumed with an ultimate save again from Sreejesh and the rebound scoop was above the goal. Again that was superb during the initial minutes of the 3rd quarter with an excellent interception from Kothajit to wriggle the ball away from the circle.
However, a good move followed and Belgium scored from Sebastien Docier just went below his right foot. Sreejesh another save comes out to save a tomahawk with excellent anticipation closing the angles by coming out. Beautifully tackled by Raghunath to Danish and they started to pass it around to build a move and in process slow down the game and keep possession. VR Raghunath lost his shape and calm to concede his 4th card in the tournament. This was another big worry coming into this match.
Emanuel Stockbrocks goal bound attempt was blocked again by Sreejesh. A baseline attack from Belgium has stuck the foot of Indian defender which is 10 man now to concede a penalty corner. This produced a superb low acrobatic save from the leder and keeper
Raghu’s absence was felt Even more as we lost an on rusher in him.
With 1 min left Raghu came back on, and just at the end of 3rd quarter Belgium scored a backhand goal from outstretched stick by the same scorer Sebastien Docier and Sreejesh beaten at his near post. That was good presence of mind from the Belgium forward as India began to lose shape and momentum at such a crucial juncture of the match. Another field goal for Belgium and also the second in this quarter. India earned a free hit but the hooter went off for end of quarter 3.
Final Quarter – Advantage Belgium!
Sebastien Docier beating PR Sreejesh to score the second goal.
Danish stated the proceedings with an excellent run and the resulting hit was deflected for an own goal that was resulted to a long corner. Danish made a good tackle only to hit his own player Rupinder to give Belgium a penalty corner. Belgium has until now converted just 1 out of 20 pc in the tournament so far.
Akashdeep made a good run but failed to find Sardar who was fouled and earned a free hit or the team. And another good flick this time for legend Tom Boon to score and the match was over dashing hopes of a comeback all over India. The Boon family would have rejoiced this sight, with Tom getting his first goal.
Sreejesh and Oltmans watch the final 10 minutes from the sidelines as the former was substituted for a sweeper keeper.
As a last ditch attempt to go all out, India removed Sreejesh with 10 mins left for the sweeper keeper, much to the shock of Sreejesh! For the third time in the tournament, Raghu took the responsibility.
Ramandeep passed to the D just missed by Akashdeep. It was desperate defending for India and time wasting from Cedric Charlier. No penalty corners earned for India, their biggest strength!
PR Sreejesh on quote after the loss:
“When it comes to quarter finals, it’s a do or die match and that’s where we need to improve. We are happy that the team could reach the quarter finals, but the team we have had the potential of going higher. It’s bad for us and I am disappointed.”
Mind you India had beaten Argentina in the group stages and also scored first against the Red Lions of Belgium, which talks about how close and tough this tournament has been.
The youngsters will have to pick themselves up and lead the team to new glories quickly because they are the ones who don’t carry any baggage of past performances. The team has adopted an exciting brand of hockey in the last one year and with time the results are bound to come for sure!
Vishy Punditry 