New Delhi: India are facing the heat at the Junior Hockey World Cup, but chief coach Gregg Clark chose to put up a brave front on Sunday saying they were “very much alive in the tournament”.
The hosts lost 2-3 to Holland, and just about managed to get past Canada 3-2 in their second round-robin game on Saturday. They now face Korea in the final game on Tuesday, and a slip could see an end top their campaign.
“There was a lot of anxiety,” admitted Clark. “We have been doing some things right, but the final flourish is missing. We are not able to convert our chances and that is the biggest concern ahead of the Korea game.
“But having said that, the mood in the team is upbeat. Statistically, we are doing a lot of right things like circle entry and creating chances. Hopefully, we will put up a strong show ahead.” Asked if the team were
finding it difficult to handle pressure, Clark said that wasn't the case. “I will say no. We play Korea next, whom we beat by a six-goal margin in the last tournament in Johor Bahru, Malaysia,“ he said.
PAKISTAN PLAYER GETS 2-MATCH BAN Meanwhile, Pakistan's Muhammad Arslan Qadir was on Sunday handed a two-game ban after being found of violating the FIH Code of Conduct. Qadir had elbowed a German player during their roundrobin game here on Saturday. The decision means Qadir will miss the match against Belgium (Tuesday), and a play-off game (Thursday).
