Australia series loss a wake-up call: Hardik Singh

“It was a wake-up call for us, for the whole team and staff,” says India vice-captain Hardik Singh. “We thought we had been doing properly. Even if we do not fulfill our duties, different groups can’t damage us. It was an phantasm which is over. In worldwide hockey, you have to be switched on and proactive always. We had been damage. Nobody desires to go to a different nation and lose 0-5 particularly when the Olympics are close to.”

The series against a team that has medalled in seven of the last eight Olympics was crucial given that Harmanpreet Singh and Co have only a handful of matches left before Paris. Irrespective of how much time they spend in practice, there’s no alternative for real game time.

But instead of building on the strengths that led India to a historic bronze three years ago in Tokyo, the Kookaburras exposed and further exploited the gaps in Craig Fulton’s team for the world to see.

The team’s biggest weakness in Perth was the inability to score field goals as India forwards could only manage a dismal tally of two goals in five matches. Five goals came via drag-flickers.

“To expect that only drag-flickers will score goals… our forwards should work a little more. It is a major focus point and was so during training after the tour. Our execution in the opposition ‘D’ was poor. Our forwards were too nice to them. When they defended with flat sticks, we couldn’t pass over them,” said Hardik, who won the FIH Player of the Year award last year.

“Then in our own D, our man-to-man defensive work wasn’t up to the mark. During our counterattacks when it was 2 against 3 or 4, we should have had the confidence to beat a couple of players and score a goal. Our counterattacks were not good which caused the downfall. We need to execute better.”

In four of the five games, India had a lead over Australia thank to counterattacks but they failed to maintain the advantage.

In their pursuit of choosing the best 16 for Paris, the team management had also selected a mammoth squad of 27 to try out as many players as possible which meant constant chopping and changing, resulting in lack of consistency in all three departments – forward line, midfield and defence. In addition, the squad not just had inexperienced players but also athletes who were returning after a gap of a year which also weakened the outfit.

“When you are playing against a top team, the mindset and strategy of all the 18 should be on the same page. Tactically we need to make sure we are at the same level against Australia, who on the other hand, had all the experience in their squad and knew how to dominate us,” mentioned the 25-year-old midfielder.

Crucially, India will face Australia once more of their final group match at Paris which might determine whether or not Fulton’s staff qualifies for the knockouts or not. Asked if the clear sweep will have an effect on the staff mentally, Hardik replied: “I do not suppose so. (Mental well being professional) Paddy (Upton) has helped us in having a constructive mindset. We mentioned not getting overexcited or nervous in strain conditions, to simply hold in there and belief in ourselves.”

Harmanpreet and Co are presently in Antwerp the place they may resume Pro League duties towards the final two Olympic champions – hosts Belgium and Argentina subsequent week in 4 video games (two every) earlier than heading to London for the closure of the nine-team event towards hosts Great Britain and reigning world champions Germany.

The outfit has spent the final three weeks spending hours on the pitch and health club beneath Fulton and scientific advisor Alan Tan as they appear to get again to successful methods within the final matches earlier than the Olympics.

“Our forwards had been very critical on the coaching pitch in addition to in video evaluation classes. Our preparation has been good. Setbacks occur, it’s a part of the sport. We can’t be caught prior to now. We know it’s going to be a really completely different situation on the Olympics,” concluded Hardik.