By T.S.V. Hari, IANS
Chennai : When India take on Japan Saturday in the second semi-final of the BSNL Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, the home team will be looking for an all-out win and supporters willing to wager many a yen for its victory.
Indians have bettered their own record for all meets in the tournament, going past their 43 goals during the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
However, Pakistan has done better in the Asia Cup. They have 51 goals appended to their name right at the tourney’s start in 1982 in Karachi.
Bettering that tally may appear easy – given the enviable record of the hosts at Chennai as they have not lost a single game. Their lowest score was a solitary goal against the tough Chinese, and the highest against the Sri Lankans, 20.
Further, the Japanese have seen the ball beating their goalie four times. And the majority of these have come at the hands of Malaysia – a team that plays a game similar to that of India.
So, on paper, India have an edge against the Samurais at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.
But there is also a flip side – the fitness of the Japanese, who will surely run faster in the field Saturday.
Significantly, Indian coach Carvalho has gone on record stating that his team won against the South Koreans by virtue of superior tactics vis-à-vis brute strength and stamina.
Since the Indians have beaten the Koreans, they are hopeful of tackling the Japanese. All in all, it will be an extremely interesting second semi-final.
The Malaysians – the only team that tormented the Japanese in this Asia Cup – will be pitted against South Korea in the first semi-final.
While the Koreans have lost a match, Malaysians have been held in one.
Japan had only wanted to reach the semi-final stage. It is India’s job to stop them there and thus gain a psychological advantage against the Japanese because both teams have to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.
This tournament has already seen acrimonious arguments against umpiring decisions – especially by Pakistan.
One can only hope that nothing of that sort happens against the home team tomorrow.
The other three matches are being played for places.
At the semi-final stage, the game is wide open.