Olympian Zafar Iqbal shocked by India's approach vs South Africa
Olympian Zafar Iqbal shocked by India's approach vs South AfricaThe view from the stands was not a good one. The crowds turned up in large numbers again but the Indian team failed to provide any spark.
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South Africa's Thornton Mcdade (left) and India's Sandeep Singh vie for the ball during their World Cup match yesterday. PIC/AFP |
Our team seemed to have had no gameplan whatsoever. They were not only aimless but also directionless in their attacks. We should thank our stars that we managed a draw here because that has meant we are in fourth place in Pool B and so will have to now vie for the seventh-eighth spot. Had we lost, we would have gifted that 7th-8th place play-off match to the South Africans and ended up playing for an embarrassing 9th-10th spot.
South Africa are a good team. Except for the 0-12 result against Australia, I think they have had a fair tournament. They play some good hockey and can catch any team on the wrong foot with quick counters.
They did just that and the result is there for all to see. For the South Africans, the draw was as good as victory. In the stands, we were shocked watching the unorganised manner in which the hosts built their attacks.
Going forward, the task of winning the seventh spot is even tougher given that our opponents could be Korea or New Zealand, both of whom have done well here. We have to plan better if we are to win that match.