Nobody following? India is rocking, 3 wins (including vs Aussie), 1 draw, 1 lose (vs Malaysia).
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With final sets of group matches left to be played, Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament is placed precariously. 5 out of 7 participating teams are still in the race to reach the finals. The proceedings of today would ultimately decide the teams who’ll be contending for the title later in the week.
India faces Egypt in their final group match and a win would take them to the top of the tale and seal their place in the finals for sure. After a sedate start against China, we saw a resurgent “Blue Sticks” team overcoming Pakistan, South Korea and Australia, notching 3 successive wins. A lacklusture performance against hosts Malaysia meant India dropped crucial points and are currently placed 2nd in the table with 10 points from 5 matches. However, Indians can take heart from the fact that their opponents have allowed 26 goals through in the five matches and have themselves scored only 3. If Team India perform to their capabilities a place in finals should not be much of a problem. All the very best to “Blue Sticks” and hope they are able to move one step closer to defending their titles.
As for the rest of the teams, they need to depend on other results to go their way to reach the finals. South Korea needs to defeat Pakistan by a margin of 2 goals and hope Australia do not win against China by a margin of 4 more goals. Similarly, Pakistan needs to defeat South Korea by a margin of 3 goals or more and then depend upon Australia to not win big against China. For Australia, they need to win by a margin of 5 goals or more against China to go through. Its all shaping up into a tremendous and nail-biting finish.
ps: India takes to field at 17:35 IST
http://indianchamps.wordpress.com/20...nament-update/