Indian hockey team wins gold in Asian Games

[Gollum]

9 minutes ago, bharathh said:

Doubtful contender to even get out of the group stage IMO. We have a guaranteed loss against the Aussies and lots of banana peels in the way.

I still have faith, good thing is no Aus/Bel in QF. I'll make a post later but I have reasons to believe we have improved in last 12 months and are at almost Tokyo games strength. If only we had one more PC expert.....earlier we had beast Rupinder (was immense in Tokyo, and in bronze medal match) and Harmanpreet in second battery....now only Harman who choked badly in the WC as main PC taker, his backups Varun and Jugraj lack the power to trouble gora teams. But our defence is better, no more reliance on just counterattack (Sunil's retirement forced this change, what pace he had from right wing,like a midfield Robben),and two goalkeeping choices. Fulton is a damn good coach, and finally we have a mental coach as well, Paddy Upton who worked with our cricket team in 2011 WC.

 

I am not happy with so many scheduled games against Aussies this year, that mental scarring won't help. Aussies never go easy even in bilaterals unlike Dutch, Germans, Belgians. We experimented a little in latest series and got 5-0 pasting.

Edited June 6, 2024 by Gollum

[bharathh]

21 minutes ago, Gollum said:

I still have faith, good thing is no Aus/Bel in QF. I'll make a post later but I have reasons to believe we have improved in last 12 months and are at almost Tokyo ganes strength. If only we had one more PC expert.

 

I am not happy with so many scheduled games against Aussies this year, that mental scarring won't help. Aussies never go easy even in bilaterals unlike Dutch, Germans, Belgians.

Even if we do finish 3rd or 4th (with Bel and Aus I don't think we will have a shot at top 2), we will prob face Ned or Germany in the QFs, after which we will face one of Bel/Aus  again. 

Edited June 6, 2024 by bharathh

[Gollum]

On 6/5/2024 at 3:23 PM, LordPrabhzy said:

Now that BJP is the ruling state party in Odisha, will they continue to sponsor the Indian hockey team? If not would corporate sponsors step up? We dont want Indian hockey to go backwards simply due to lack of money and support.

 

@Gollum

Odisha announces extension of Hockey India sponsorship to 2036

 

The Mohan Majhi-led BJP Government announced sponsorship partnership to Hockey India till 2036.