Indian Hockey tea displayed a very poor performance in the quarter final game against Malaysia. This 3-2 defeat led team to the elimination and this is where the journey of team India ends in the Hockey World League. Many including the coach were frustrated with the game team India played.
Because of a controversial penalty corner where Malaysia got a penalty corner, they got the lead just before 12 minutes before the end of the match. However, India got many chances to score a goal after that one of which was when Ramandeep Singh tried to dribble past a couple of Malaysian defenders through the centre instead of passing it to a free man either side of him, but were unable to equalise the lead.
According to Oltmans, team was ‘nervous’, because of which they could not execute the gameplan. The idea was to pass the ball around quickly, not allowing the Malaysians to settle. But Indian on the other hand were seen running aimlessly.
Oltmans said, “They (Malaysia) are a team that is crowded around their own 25 (metre line). So carrying the ball does not work. They (Indian players) know, understand and discussed it. But you still need to execute it.”
From the Indian side, Ramandeep Singh scored 2 goals in 24th and 26th minute. Also he missed his hattrick in the final minute of the game. Malaysia has now qualified for the next year’s World Cup which is to be held in India next year.