Every four years when it's the Asian Games or the Olympics time, suddenly the sports lovers in the country turn their attention to the national sport – hockey. It's the same ahead of the 18th Asian Games to be held in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.
The Indian men's team led by Keralite goalkeeper P R Sreejesh is the favourite to defend the gold and seal a spot in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The recent form has been encouraging for India under coach Harendra Singh who took over from Dutchman Sjoerd Marijn after a disappointing show at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Game where the team finished fourth.
Excellent showing
India did exceedingly well in last month's Champions Trophy before going down to Australia in penalty shootout in the final. India scored comfortable 3-0 Test series win over New Zealand in the run up to the Asian Games. The team has plenty of experience and the return of drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh and forward Akashdeep Singh strengthens the squad.
India do not enjoy a great record in the Games as they have won the gold only three times and have never emerged triumphant in successive editions. But Sreejesh & Co. are easily the best side in Asia and with a world ranking of 5, anything less than a gold will be deemed a failure. India are placed in Pool A along with South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. The Indians are expected to top the pool and meet the second-placed team from Pool B in the semifinals. India should guard against complacency and the age-old frailties of conceding goals in the final minutes of the game.
Pakistan and Malysia are the favourites to advance from Pool B. Pakistan, the most dominant side in the history of the competition, with 8 gold medals, have struggled in big tournaments of late. They almost pulled out of the Asian Games citing overdue daily allowances from the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Pakistan, who failed to qualify for the Commonwealth Games semifinals, had rallied to hold India 2-2 in their opening game in Gold Coast.
Impressive run by the Indian eves
India stand a good chance in the women's section too. The Indian eves were the lone Asian team to make it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in London. The team led by Rani Rampal was edged out by the Irish on penalties in the last-eight stage. India, who had scored a memorable win over England at the Commonwealth Games, held them to a 1-1 draw in the World Cup. The team also played out a draw with the US and outplayed Italy before going down to the Irish.
The Indian eves are placed alongside South Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan and hosts Indonesia in Pool B. India had lost to South Korea in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy in May. India have won the gold only once - at home in New Delhi in 1982 - when women's hockey made its maiden appearance at the Asian Games.
India could well become the only second team after South Korea (in 1986 and 1994) to bag a double in hockey at the Asian Games. Present form points to that, but how well both the Indian men and women endure the pressure of expectations remains to be seen.
