Harmanpreet Singh’s drag-flicking a positive but India’s vulnerabilities exposed in lucky escape vs China

Harmanpreet’s side came into the tournament with an aura around them. But if Japan, Malaysia and South Korea — all of whom began with resounding wins — watched the odds-on favourites struggle against a lowly China, they would now be more optimistic about their chances of upsetting the Olympic medallists than, say, before Friday’s opening round matches in Rajgir.

Those teams would have also made frantic notes of Harmanpreet’s exquisite drag-flicking. The captain’s hat-trick got India over the line and even though he missed a penalty stroke — hitting the vertical post — his goal-scoring return after an injury lay-off in Europe would be the positive takeaway. Especially since the team leans heavily on him for goals.

Flicks galore

In a match where all seven goals came from penalty corners, India’s drag-flick conversion was top-notch, scoring four goals from 11 attempts. Jugraj Singh, often wayward with his flicks, was on target in his first attempt before Harmanpreet netted thrice.

It helped that China’s first rush was abysmal. Their captain, Chongcong Chen, tried to close down Harmanpreet’s angles by rushing as fast as he could, but he was always caught two or three yards short. It gave India’s set-piece exponents enough time and space to flick the ball with equal measure of pace and deception to beat the goalkeeper.

Penalty corner defence was a glaring area where China actually played like a world number 22 side. Then again, the hosts — ranked 9th — didn’t fare any better.

But India’s problems ran far deeper than just defending the corners. As they should come to expect in most matches they will play in the Asia Cup, China had all players in their half of the field when defending. They packed their ‘D’ with four or five players, leaving very little room for Indian forwards to manoeuvre.

To their credit, India remained patient in the build-up. They kept their passes short and simple, switched flanks and tried to get behind the defence but on almost every occasion, were met with a dogged defence that would clear the danger. The one time Mandeep Singh found the back of the net for a field goal, the goal was ruled out as he was deemed to have pushed a defender while doing so. Apart from that, India didn’t really test the Chinese goalkeeper from open play.

China’s defensive strategy meant they were always on the lookout for a counter-attacking opportunity and it was there that they hit India hard. India’s defenders weren’t alert enough to deal with China’s quick transition and were often second best in one-on-one situations.

Lu Yuanlin, who was one of China’s standout players at the Asian Champions Trophy last year, added to his growing reputation with sizzling runs down the left flank and supple wrist-work to dodge past the defenders. In the 12th minute, Lu beautifully trapped a long aerial ball near the baseline, challenged Rohidas for a one-on-one duel and drew a foul to win a penalty corner. Du Shihao’s flick was beyond the reach of goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, but it was right at Sanjay’s stick on the post. However, the Indian defender could not stop the ball cleanly and the ball deflected in.

In the third quarter, China — who were down 1-3 — outwitted India to narrow the deficit in the 35th minute. Guo Xialong beat two Indian defenders and then found the foot of Shilanand Lakra to win a corner. The Indian defence prepared for Du to have another crack and threw all their resources at stopping him, including first-rusher Manpreet Singh charging down to block his angle. But Du played a dummy and the ball went to the second castle, where Chen Benhai had ample time to find the gap between Pathak and Jarmanpreet, who was defending the post.

Minutes later, Lu troubled India’s defence once again. He picked the ball near the half line and, kissing the sideline, he weaved past one Indian stick, shepherded the ball forward with his left hand while cutting in simultaneously, beat two other defenders to enter the ‘D’ and then calmly found Harmanpreet’s foot to win a corner.

Gao Jiesheng’s flick was at a comfortable height and pace for Pathak to save. The Indian goalkeeper got his glove to it but he couldn’t stop the ball from trickling into his goal, allowing China to level the scores. Harmanpreet scored in the final quarter to restore India’s lead, which they ultimately hung on to.

But against stronger, more unforgiving opponents, it won’t matter how many goals Harmanpreet scores if India’s defence continues being so porous.

Other results on Day 1: Malaysia 4-1 Bangladesh; South Korea 7-0 Chinese Taipei; Japan 7-0 Kazakhstan