It has been just about a week since India lifted the Asian Champions Trophy in Malaysia with a phenomenal win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. This was India’s second title since the inception of the tournament in 2011. It is undoubtedly a major achievement for the team which has been under constant resurgence in the past year.

They have improved almost everywhere on the field, keeping composure during the shoot-outs, avoiding unnecessary fouls, converting the penalty-corners and going strong even when playing a man short on the field. These are some of the traits that were witnessed during India’s campaign in Malaysia. And, if one has a look at the official team rankings one would have predicted an easy win for the Indian team. India is the top ranked Asian team to take part in the tournament, at sixth in the world.

While the other participants don’t make it in the top 10: Korea (11th), Pakistan (13th), Malaysia (14th), Japan (16th) and China (18th).

The win, however is a win and one must definitely appreciate it. But, it also exposed some areas of the Indian game that needs to be addressed. The same old defense.

PR Sreejesh is a saviour

The Indian goal-keeper and captain (who at times does not wear the arm-band) is the penultimate saviour of the Indian team. The defensive lapses have considerably decreased and an even lower number of errors get converted to goals, the credit for that goes to this man. His heroic penalty stop in the semi-final against Korea ensured India a place in the finals. PR Sreejesh has helped reduce the number of goals India concedes in recent times.

But that is not enough to compete against the best in the world. India’s biggest problem is letting in easy goals immediately after scoring one or in the dying minutes of the game. That has proven to be the difference maker more often than not, and, generally not in favour of the Indian team.  

However, that did not prove to be the game changer during this campaign.

A look at the defensive lapses during Asian Champions Trophy

India vs Pakistan (Final)

The most evident and costly of the errors would have been the ones made in the final. India gained a comfortable 2-0 lead in the early moments of the second quarter. Usually the team should maintain possession in the midfield and try keeping the opposition away from getting into scoring positions. However, India lost control of the midfield towards the final few minutes of the quarter and made way for Pakistan to return into the game.

Pakistan kept momentum in their favour and scored the equalizer in the third quarter bringing the game back to square one.

A game that was probably sealed off in the early moments of the second quarter saw both teams back in the hunt and the game could go in anyone’s favour. However, it was India to enjoy the victory and end the tour without a defeat to lift the trophy.

India vs Korea (Group Stage)

It was a hard-fought game where Korea took an early lead not due to a silly error but sheer skills with the stick. However, it was just moments before the goal that India made a defensive error that could have proved costly. Korean striker Sen Inwoo managed to get rid of Jasjit Singh to earn a one-on-one with PR Sreejesh, but eventually missed the target.

Korea was the only team that succeeded in stopping India from winning in regulated time, twice in the tournament.

India has come a long way since its resurgence, but the defensive lapses have proven far too costly. One would recall the game against Germany at the Rio Olympics, conceding a very late goal to drop points. That needs to be avoided, if India is to ever regain the throne on top of the world of hockey.