In a battle between the second-highest-ranked crew of the event and the second-lowest, the consequence was hardly in any doubt. However Salima Tete-led India took their time of their opener on the Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar earlier than ultimately prevail 4-0 over Malaysia, due to a strong second-half displaying.
Coming into the event, head coach Harendra Singh had careworn on the necessity to enhance the health and endurance ranges of the crew whereas additionally being smarter in entrance of purpose. However the first half was irritating for the hosts in that regard, simply managing one purpose that got here courtesy Sangita Kumari within the eighth minute. Nevertheless, when the match ended, the younger ahead from Simdega had scored one other, and there have been causes to smile.
Two objectives in two minutes on the finish of the third quarter for Preeti Dubey and Udita ensured there wasn’t an upset on the playing cards. And Sangita utilized the final touch within the fifty fifth minute.
Whereas Harendra has made it clear he needs his crew to be arrange with an attack-first mentality, after the match he praised the defence.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 11, 2024
“Very first thing was the clear sheet. Additionally, within the event’s first sport, I may see that we took a little bit time to settle into the velocity of the match,” the top coach instructed the media after the match. “After half time, I’m proud that the ladies executed what we mentioned. We created numerous probabilities within the first half. We must always have performed higher with these, on the lookout for the second publish extra and getting extra scientific, and will have scored extra objectives.”
The primary clear-cut likelihood of the match, nevertheless, fell to Malaysia. Nur Mohammed was by way of on purpose from a crazy deflected cross, however going through Savita Punia 1-vs-1, couldn’t discover the shot previous her. Credit score to the previous India captain for dashing out of her line early. That was a key second within the match as an early purpose for the Malaysians would have put the hosts on the backfoot.
Penalty nook conversion has been a perennial space of concern for the Indian crew, and even on Monday night time, they struggled for giant elements to get it proper. However the ultimate image didn’t make for too unhealthy a studying as three of their 4 objectives got here from set-piece conditions (out of 11 penalty corners gained). Within the eighth minute, Sangita got here up with a poacher’s end after Deepika – the first drag-flicker within the facet – adjusted effectively to a PC routine that didn’t work out, to maintain the ball in play and hearth in a cross to the far publish. That additional second she took to make the precise determination is what Harendra needs to see extra of.
Late blitz
Thereafter, the Indians endured 35 irritating minutes of making an attempt to interrupt down the Malaysian defence, earlier than they hit twice in as many minutes, each from PC conditions. First, Navneet Kaur discovered Preeti Dubey – who had labored all night time, hitting the publish as soon as and firing straight on the goalkeeper on one other event – managed to get on the scoresheet with an acute deflection. Then got here a direct hit on purpose from Udita that flew previous goalkeeper Siti Nasir.
India off to a successful begin to the Bihar Ladies’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024. 🇮🇳💙
A complete 4:0 victory over Malaysia to begun the defence of the title. 🏑
Watch the highlights of the sport right here 📹#BiharWACT2024 #IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia… pic.twitter.com/WMfmiFaAOU
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 11, 2024
However maybe essentially the most pleasing purpose of the night time for India would have been the fourth one. Deep from India’s half, defender Ishika Chaudhary lifted her head to scan what was in entrance of her, and noticed Sangita in place. She hit an extended by way of ball in the direction of the ahead, but it surely was a bouncing cross that wanted fast and exact management. Sangita managed to obtain it in her stride and her first contact was sensible to open up house between two Malaysian defenders simply outdoors the circle. The 22-year-old then dribbled ahead and unleashed a pointy reverse-hit end.
“It’s not about working extra on ending,” Harendra stated later. “They’ve usually chosen the precise ability, the one factor is that they must be affected person. The ball must be on the stick on the proper second, particularly when it’s bouncing, that’s after we missed being scientific across the cage. That occurs once they rush their play, I imagine emotional management is essential there to create extra objectives.”
Requested about his half-time chat, Harendra stated: “Simply play easy, don’t take the strain. Benefit from the second. I really feel our gamers assume quite a bit in regards to the outcomes, that mentality we will change. I really feel like they understood within the second half that you will need to be current within the second.”
Harder exams await, and higher performances can be wanted, particularly to beat China who thrashed Thailand 15-0 earlier within the day. Whereas the eventual end result doesn’t replicate the dominance India had on the night time, it’s begin to a contemporary cycle.
They play South Korea on Tuesday. The Koreans had a 2-2 draw with Japan of their opening encounter.