Hockey: Graham Reid impressed by India’s ability to absorb pressure
The Indian hockey coach believes his team eventually played the fast, skilful game they are capable of during their 3-0 win over Argentina in the FIH Pro League
Even as India managed to score three goals against Olympic champions Argentina during the FIH Pro League match in Buenos Aires on Sunday, India coach Graham Reid was more pleased that his team had returned with a clean sheet despite repeated attacks from the hosts.
It was India's second win over Argentina in two days -- they had beaten the South Americans 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday. The result saw India climb to No 4 in the Pro League standings. They have 15 points from eight matches, while Argentina are placed sixth with 11 points from 12 matches.
“It’s a good sign when you can scramble defence,” Reid told the Olympic Channel. “It’s a good sign of a good team that they can keep them out when you are getting a lot of pressure from the opposition. Argentina are a very good attacking team.”
‘Los Leones’ (The Lions), as the Argentine hockey team is called, had been quick off the blocks. Krishan Bahadur Pathak, playing his 50th international match, made three brilliant saves in the first quarter to deny the hosts.
In fact, it was India that got onto the scoreboard first via a penalty corner conversion from Harmanpreet Singh in the 11th minute. The visitors had just about managed to hold on to the lead in the first quarter but they turned on the heat after the break.
“The last three quarters of yesterday’s game is about the level we need to be playing,” said Reid, who was part of the Australian team that won a silver medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
"In the first quarter we were making some mistakes, took a little while to wake up but after that we played a good fast skillful game.
“I tend not to focus on results. It’s more about how we play; our energy, our effort, the things that we have been working on, seeing them pan out. Of course you always hope to get results and win. What I’m happy about is that we are continuing the process of getting better and learning. It’s been a good tour so far.”
The result may hold India in good stead, considering they are in the same group as Argentina for the Tokyo Olympics. The two teams are in Pool A, along with Australia, New Zealand, Spain and hosts Japan.
“The old adage that you are only as good as your next game is true,” said the 57-year-old Queenslander.
“Of course it’s always good psychologically to win against a particular team. But you also give them the opportunity to use those results against you when you play them next. If you look at the numbers behind, we are still very equal teams. The number of opportunities both teams created were similar.”
The Indian men’s hockey team has been on a good run since they returned to action, after a year’s hiatus due to Covid-19, in February. In their first match back, they had defeated Germany 6-1 to kick off the Europe tour. They are unbeaten in the eight matches they have played this year.
Reid is hoping for cleaner, more clinical performance from his team in the coming weeks. India will play two more practice games in Argentina; then take on Great Britain (8-9 May), Spain (15-16 May) and Germany (22-23 May) in the FIH Pro League before heading to the Tokyo Games.
“We still need to be much more clinical in attack and perhaps more frugal at the back. We are still giving away too many opportunities to the opposition. But again that’s what happens when you play against world class teams. But there definitely are things we can do to keep them out of their scoring zone and our defensive third,” concluded the India coach.