Antwerp (Belgium): hockey coach Paul van Ass India was pleased with the way his team played in the 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Pakistan in the preliminary league of the World League semifinals on Friday.
“It was an electrifying competition and produced a good result,” said van ass, for whom this was the first time I was involved with a meeting between India and Pakistan, which had the largest audience in international hockey.
Ramandeep Sigh scored two field goals in circulation in the 13th and 39th minutes of India, while Pakistan got two goals from captain Muhammad Imran, who first converted a penalty kick in the 28th and then sent increased drag movie network in the 37th.
India threatened to score a winning goal at the end of the dying stages when they had three cracks at the Pakistan goal but were erratic in their aim.
Ramandeep came close to leveling as your day with a hat-trick, but misdirected sent a shot wide on the penultimate minute.
“I am very happy to see Ramandeep produce goals today.
I think the tie was a result just as India had an edge in the first and fourth quarters, while Pakistan enjoyed an advantage in the second and third quarters, “said van Ass.
Van Ass, former Dutch coach, who recently took over as the Indian team, said his players are shaping well. It was his confidence in the young players that allowed him to keep back penalty corner specialist Rupinder Pal Singh on the sidelines.
Rupinder, who was injured in practice matches before the tournament here, he has not played in all three games. This has reduced the power of running short corner of India
.
“I think the guys are doing well, and that was off target for this tournament,” said van Ass, which has the luxury of India which has already won a ticket to the 2016 Olympics after winning the Asian Games Incheon last year.
“We must focus on the Olympics, but the team wants to perform well along the way,” he said.
India now has seven points from three matches, ahead of Sunday’s game against the world champion in Australia, who have easily won all their games, including a victory over Pakistan.
Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh said he wanted three points from this game, but was happy the way his team had played.
“This was the best match of the tournament and an exhibition of classic hockey,” Shahnaz said.
