Against Olympic champs, real India turn up

Akashdeep equalised for India with a reverse hit in the 47th minute. The assist was provided by Manpreet Singh.

In most match situations, Germany personify calmness. They are at their menacing best when their opponents give them space, allowing them to control the play. They are also comfortable defending deep because they are so good technically that they rarely commit an unforced error.

But the Olympic champions are most uncomfortable and vulnerable when their opponents play a high pressing game. It’s a strategy most teams hope to employ but only a handful have been successful. On Saturday, India not just exposed Germany’s biggest shortcoming, but exploited it as well. The hosts controlled the game from the first whistle, not allowing Germany an inch of space. They hustled and hurried the German players, forcing them to concede possession and committed fewer errors than the opening match against Argentina on Friday.

That they could still not manage a win shows how tough the Germans are to beat. But the 1-1 draw after a listless defeat to Argentina is a result that coach Roelant Oltmans was satisfied with. And like the game on Friday, it was not the result that mattered in this Pool B match. The performance did.

It was a rare good day when almost everything India tried clicked — players executed the game plan, backed each other on the field and tried to solve the problems Germans posed as a team, not individually as they often do. But the two most marked differences from Friday’s game were the energy they showed and what they did off the ball. Playing a high pressing game demands extreme fitness. And though that is one area where India are on par with rest of the world, they were lethargic and lifeless against Argentina.

Manpreet, the key man

On Saturday, they were aggressive from the beginning. And if India were looking for an inspiration on the field, they needed to look at Manpreet Singh. Korean — as he is fondly called by his teammates — has grown in stature in the last couple of years, going on from a rookie to one of the key players in the team. He proved his worth again with a tremendous all-round performance.

India’s shoulders dropped after conceding an early goal once again. Timur Oruz made a run from close to the goalline and pulled the ball back towards the penalty spot in the sixth minute. Indian defenders, including Manpreet, were caught ball watching and an unmarked Niklas Wellen tapped the ball in from close range.

That was the only occasion when Manpreet was guilty of committing an error. He took control of the midfield, complementing captain Sardar Singh and linking up well with his teammates. Oltmans, who usually does not single out a player for good performance, tipped his hat to Manpreet after the match. “He showed the desire of the team today. From the first minute he was energetic and was doing all the right things. He had a great impact today,” the Dutchman said.

Germans surprised

The Germans, admittedly, were surprised by India’s aggressive approach. Their backline was bolstered by the return of Moritz Fuerste. The talisman was badly injured in Germany’s opening match against Holland on Friday after he was accidentally hit on his muscles above the knee with a stick. It looked bad initially and he did not take further part in that match, putting question mark over his future in the tournament. However, with an icepack around the area, he started the game and as usual, was the key man in the German line-up and hardly put a foot wrong.

He thwarted several Indian attempts, and along with goalkeeper Andreas Spack, ensured India did not equalise immediately. But rest of his teammates were constantly haggled by the aggressive Indians and surrendered the ball quite cheaply. India dominated the first three quarters not just in terms of possession but also in the number of chances they created.Ironically, India scored in the fourth quarter, which was the only time Germany looked threatening. Manpreet picked up a loose ball on top of the circle in the 47th minute, drilled a shot that found Akashdeep Singh.

The young striker calmly controlled the ball, let it roll on his wrong side and executed a reverse hit to beat the goalkeeper. India could have won the match had they converted the numerous chances that came their way. This was the best India have played in quite some time. But even their best was not enough to beat the Germans.

Sunil injured

India forward SV Sunil is unlikely to play a part in the last group stage match against Holland on Monday after he injured his right leg during India’s opening match against Argentina on Friday. Coach Roelant Oltmans said Sunil was finding it tough to even stretch his leg and will be rested for the last group match. Sunil did not play against Germany as well.

Results:

* Pool A: Britain 3 (Simon Mantell 2’, 23’, Alastair Brogdon 24’) beat Canada 1 (Mark Pearson 4’); Australia 1 (Jamie Dwyer 22’) beat Belgium 0

* Pool B: India 1 (Akashdeep Singh 47’) drew with Germany 1 (Niklas Wellen 6’); Holland 3 (Thierry Brinkman 10’, Seve van Ass 17’, Roel Bovendeert 22’) beat Argentina 2 (Gonzalo Peillat 30’, 39’)

* Sunday’s schedule (live on Star Sports 1, HD 1): 6:30pm: Belgium vs Canada; 8:30pm: Britain vs Australia