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India crushed arch-rivals Pakistan 4-0 in their recent Asian Champions Trophy hockey match in Chennai on Wednesday, August 9. The victory not only underlined India's dominance but also knocked Pakistan out of the tournament. As India gears up for the semifinals against Japan, Head Coach Craig Fulton praised his team's structured approach.
Unbeaten throughout the league, India topped the table with four victories and a tie. Commenting on the victory, Fulton noted, "We did play a good-structured game. We had some good consistency in each quarter, mirroring our performance in the Japan game."
Japan managed to edge into the semifinals over Pakistan due to a superior goal difference, even though both teams accrued five points each. Fulton stressed the importance of consistency and a well-rounded approach for the upcoming semi-final, saying, "We also had more penetration into the circle in each quarter than Japan. It will be about maintaining consistency and not doing it just one way."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's coach Muhammad Saqlain raised concerns over umpiring standards, particularly after a goal was disallowed for his team. Responding to this, Fulton emphasised the role of video referrals and applauded Pakistan's efforts, stating, "They (Pakistan) played well. They had chances, but we defended well and got the goals counted at the right time."
Regarding India's captain Harmanpreet Singh's standout performance, where he netted two goals from penalty corners, Singh said, "Even if I miss out on one or two shots, my focus is on trying to get those converted."
Reacting to Saqlain's earlier comments on India's style, Singh added, "If we are winning without playing in a structure, then we will try to better our structure. He has given us a good lesson."
Midfielder Mandeep Singh's commendable gameplay was also acknowledged by Fulton, who pointed out the challenges of Mandeep's position, “Mandeep's position is not easy... But he's a seasoned professional. He's bringing his experience into play, and he's doing well.”
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