Asia Cup 2022: India to face Indonesia in must-win encounter in last group match in Jakarta today

Asia Cup 2022: India to face Indonesia in must-win encounter in last group match in Jakarta today

@TheHockeyIndia

India face hosts Indonesia in a must-win encounter in the last group match of the Asia Cup 2022 in Jakarta today. The match will begin at 5 pm IST.

Having played out a draw against Pakistan and suffered loss against Japan, even a victory against the hosts might not be enough for the defending champions India to seal a spot in the knockout stage of the tournament.

India’s fate is not in their own hands anymore.  But now, a  next to impossible task awaits the Indians as they not only have to score big against Indonesia but also hope that Japan beat Pakistan in the other Pool A match if they are to progress to the Super 4 stage.

India have a goal difference of minus three as against Pakistan’s plus 13. If Pakistan lose to Japan, India will have to beat Indonesia by a huge margin to go past their western neighbours in goal difference and advance further in the tournament.

Inexperience was the major reason behind India’s below-par performances as the young players, mainly drafted from the last Junior World Cup squad, are finding it difficult to get a measure of the level of international hockey.