India in must-win situation against Oman

Doha, Dec 7 (UNI) A beleaguered Indian hockey team takes on lowly Oman in a must-win match to keep their hopes alive in the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games here tomorrow.

India's predicament is of their own making, they gave a wayward display against China and lost 2-3 to them for the first time ever.

Now India not only has to beat Oman by a big margin but will also have to defeat defending champion Korea in their last league match.

With China winning all their three matches -- they beat Bangladesh 4-1 this morning the are through to the semis -- the Indians can only hope for a miracle to happen.

''We are trying hard to motivate the players,'' said manager Hardeep Dhillon.

''We are hoping for a miracle and miracles do happen,'' he added.

India has looked a lost and disjointed side in the games and given the state in which the team finds itself, it looks difficult for them to make it to the last four stage.

India need at least an eight-goal win, while not conceding any against Oman and then hope that China beat Korea so that in the last league match they can take on Korea on equal terms.

Oman is not a great side but neither is China and lack of motivation can create problems for the former champions tomorrow.

''We need to win with a convincing margin,'' said coach V Baskaran, who is still hopeful.

''There are two matches and six points to go,'' he added.

''The boys have to realise the importance of this competition and also that we have always made a podium finish in this competition,'' he said.

Baskaran and Dhillon's optimistic attitude and a miracle not withstanding, India at the moment are looking for a mirage if they think they can make a podium finish.

The Indian showing in two matches so far left a lot to be desired. There has been no rhythm or coordination in the team's play. The mid-field looks paralysed and even Viren Rasquinha would not have made any difference because nothing is functional in this department.

Defence looks vulnerable and India is missing a drag flicker.

Rookie defender Raghunath has scored two goals so far, but his performance has been uneven. Harpal has shown glimpses of his form in bits and pieces but Dilip Tirkey has disappointed so far.

The forwards lack cohesion and the team a vision and game plan.

The feel good factor seems to be missing in the team and motivation is absent. The team management had given the players a day's break allowing them to go for shopping and sight-seeing in the hope that it will sooth their nerves and they will feel relaxed. But it is up to the players to turn the table.

They have the chance to seize the opportunity and put up the display of their lives. The Indians should start believing in themselves -- they have beaten the Koreans earlier and now after Oman, which they have to beat by big margin -- they will have to go for a kill.

Whether they have that killer instinct, one will have to wait and watch.

In the women section India faces Hong Kong in their fourth match.

The eves have so far won two and lost one and after tomorrow's match they will run into tough teams like Japan and Korea.

The girls will have to improve their finishing and defence -- they have missed sitters while conceding far too many penalty corners.

The Asian Games assume importance this time because two top teams in each section will qualify for the Beijing Olympiad and the rest will have to go through the qualifiers next years.

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