Mandeep Singh assures more field goals by India's forward line in knockouts

Mandeep Singh after India’s 4-0 win over Pakistan at Chennai on Wednesday. Pic/Ashwin Ferro

India's lanky forward Mandeep Singh, 28, almost always stands out on the new blue turf at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here, thanks to the bright pink face of his hockey stick. However, his performance hasn't stood out just yet.

Known for his sharp skills and perfect positioning, Mandeep has managed just one goal in five matches of the Asian Champions Trophy here. He scored India's third goal off a stylish reverse hit in the 3-2 win over Korea. He almost scored India's fourth goal against Pakistan on Wednesday, but it was credited to his striker partner Akashdeep Singh, who got the faintest of touches before the ball rolled into the goal.

By his own standards, Mandeep, an experienced campaigner with over 213 caps, knows that he hasn't done too well. In fact, the entire Indian forwardline along with Mandeep - Karthi Selvam, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh and Akashdeep - have been found wanting more often than not across the last 10 days.

"We enjoy scoring field goals, but in this tournament, we have not got enough field goals in the first couple of matches. But as the tournament has progressed, we've got better," Mandeep tells mid-day. He is spot-on. India have scored 20 goals in their five matches so far (7-2 China, 1-1 Japan, 5-0 Malaysia, 3-2 Korea, 4-0 Pakistan) of which just seven have been field goals. Of these seven, six came in the last three matches. It's not that the skillful and speedy forwards have not created enough chances, though.

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‘We are attacking well'

"We are working hard and getting into good positions. We have dozens of circle penetrations in every match, which means we are attacking well. It's just that the field goals have eluded us," adds Mandeep.

Obviously, the ‘missing' forwardline is a point of discussion in team meetings and Mandeep has no hesitation in admitting this. "We have discussed field goals in
our team meetings and coach [Craig Fulton] has explained what needs to be done. We have also had a series of meetings among us - the forwards. Karthi, Sukhjeet, Gurjant, Akashdeep and myself," he says with the assurance that there is nothing to worry about.

Rarely empty-handed

"All five of us felt that we have nothing to be bothered about, because whenever we enter the opposition striking circle, on most occasions, we are not coming back empty-handed. We are either working out a penalty corner or getting a shot on goal. These are positives and now in the knockout phase, I have no doubt
that we will have more field goals," explains Mandeep, who is also eagerly looking forward to next month's Asian Games in Hangzhou, China (September 23 to October 8) and is keen to make this ACT a stepping stone to success.

"We are playing all out here because at the end of the day, every match result matters. If you see our ranking, we are World No. 4, so if we don't show it in our own backyard and if we lose, it will be bad for us. We cannot afford to carry this negativity to the Asian Games. So, the idea is to keep playing here as per our structure. Yes, we may not show a few things to the opposition keeping the Asian Games in mind, but we are giving our 80-90 per cent here to win the gold medal,"
he signs off.