Defending champions India need to beat hosts Indonesia by a wide margin and hope Pakistan will beat Japan in their other Pool A game to advance to the knockout rounds of the 2022 Asian Ice Hockey Cup on Thursday. The India vs Indonesia game will be streamed live on Star Sports channels from 5pm IST. (More Ice Hockey News)
India’s fate is no longer in their own hands as even a win over weak Indonesia doesn’t guarantee them a KO spot. Japan must beat Pakistan to keep India’s faint hopes alive. With one draw and one loss, India sits third in Pool A behind Japan (6 points) and Pakistan (4 points).
Led by Sardar Singh, India fielded a young side for the tournament alongside a handful of seniors like Birendra Lakra and SV Sunil who have come back from retirement. But the senior duo seemed well past their prime when their performances in the previous two games are over.
India conceded a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 with Pakistan in the tournament’s opening game, before being beaten 5-2 by Japan. But now an “almost impossible” task awaits the Indians as they not only need to score big against Indonesia but also hope Japan beat Pakistan in Thursday’s other Pool A game when they progress to the Super 4 want to advance phase.
India has a goal difference of minus three to Pakistan’s plus 13. If Pakistan loses to Japan, India will need to beat Indonesia by a wide margin to overtake their western neighbors on goal difference and move further up the tournament.
Inexperience has been the main reason for India’s underperforming as the young players, drawn mostly from the last World Junior Championship squad, have difficulty assessing the level of international hockey.
In the two previous games, the Indians lacked cohesion in the three departments – defense, midfield and attack. The Indians lacked a good playmaker in midfield, as evidenced by their constant attempt to build up attacks from the center rather than making more use of both flanks.
Lakra looked like a pale shadow of himself in the back line, broken badly under unrelenting pressure. The offense was wasteful as players like Tokyo Olympic champion Simranjeet Singh and youngster Uttam Singh didn’t have the best games.
Lanky and heavily built, Pawan Rajbhar is the only player to have impressed with his commitment and stick work, creating chances and also scoring a goal in the two games.
Converting penalty corners is another area where the Indians struggle, lacking quality drag-flicker on the side after veteran Rupinder Pal Singh retired at the last minute with a wrist injury.
Given the chances placed against them, the young Indian players could be beefed up to give their best on Thursday and show they can handle the situation.
When and where will the 2022 Asia Cup hockey match between India and Indonesia take place?
The 2022 Asia Cup Ice Hockey game between India and Indonesia will be played on May 26 at GBK Sports Complex Hockey Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia from 17:00 IST.
Which channels broadcast hockey game india vs indonesia 2022 asia cup ice hockey game?
Star Sports First, Star Sports Select 2 and Star Sports Select 2 HD will broadcast the 2022 Asia Cup hockey match between India and Indonesia.
Where will the ice hockey match India vs. Indonesia, Asia Cup 2022 be broadcast live?
Disney+ Hotstar will live stream the 2022 Asia Cup hockey match between India and Indonesia starting at 5pm IST.
