The 2022 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup marked the 11th edition of this prestigious tournament, held at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta, Indonesia, from May 23 to June 1, 2022. Organized by the Asian Hockey Federation, the event brought together the continent’s best teams to battle for supremacy. India, with high aspirations, embarked on a mission to reclaim their position as the champions, ultimately securing a well-deserved bronze medal.
Let’s take a closer look at how India fared in each match and how they secured their place on the podium.
India’s Journey: A Series of Thrilling Encounters
- May 23, 2022: India vs Pakistan (Draw 1-1): India’s campaign began with a nail-biting 1-1 draw against archrivals Pakistan. Selvam Karthi, making his debut, gave India an early lead in the 9th minute, but Pakistan leveled the score late in the match. Despite creating several chances, India couldn’t find the winning goal. This draw placed both teams in a tie for second in their pool, setting the stage for a challenging tournament ahead.
- May 24, 2022: India vs Japan (India lost 2-5): India faced Japan in their second match, but the outcome was disappointing. After a competitive first quarter, India fell 2-5 to the Japanese team, who controlled much of the game. Though India fought back with a goal from Pawan Rajbhar, Japan capitalized on their opportunities in the final quarter to extend their lead. This loss left India in third place in their group, increasing the pressure for their next matches.
- May 26, 2022: India vs Indonesia (India won 16-0): India bounced back emphatically in their next encounter, : defeating Indonesia 16-0. This was a dominant performance from India, showcasing their attacking prowess and clinical finishing. The large margin of victory not only secured the win but also gave India a crucial boost in goal difference, which would become vital as the tournament progressed.
- May 28, 2022: India vs Japan (India won 2-1): India’s resilience was evident in their rematch with Japan, as they secured a 2-1 victory. Vishnukant Singh and SV Sunil scored for India, helping them take a crucial step towards the Super 4s. This hard-fought win revived their hopes of advancing in the tournament.
- May 29, 2022: India vs Malaysia (Draw 3-3): In a thrilling encounter, India fought back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 3-3 with Malaysia. Malaysia’s Razie Rahim starred with a hat-trick, but India showed great character through goals from Vishnukant Singh, SV Sunil, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess. This draw kept India’s hopes alive in the Super 4s, though they still needed a strong finish to make it to the final.
- May 31, 2022: India vs Korea (Draw 4-4): India faced Korea in another high-intensity match, which ended in a 4-4 draw. Both teams exchanged goals in a tense contest, with India failing to secure the win despite dominating possession. The result left India in a precarious situation, with their progression to the final hanging in the balance.
- June 1, 2022: India vs Japan (India won 1-0): In their final match of the tournament, India claimed the bronze medal with a 1-0 win over Japan. Rajkumar Pal scored the only goal of the match in the 6th minute, and despite sustained pressure from Japan, India held on to their lead. The victory secured India’s second Asia Cup bronze medal, adding to their impressive medal tally in the competition’s history.
Final Standings: India Secures the Bronze
After a roller-coaster ride throughout the tournament, India finished in third place. Here’s a look at the final standings:
- 1st: Korea
- 2nd: Malaysia
- 3rd: India
- 4th: Japan
- 5th: Pakistan
Conclusion: A Tournament of Resilience and Lessons
India’s journey in the 2022 Men’s Asia Cup was one of perseverance and determination. Despite a tough start, including a loss to Japan and a dramatic draw with Malaysia, the Indian team showed incredible resilience, particularly in their 1-0 victory over Japan to secure the bronze medal. This achievement added a valuable medal to India’s collection in the tournament’s history.
Though India fell short of defending their title, their performance in the Asia Cup reflected both the potential and the challenges they face on the international stage. The experience gained from this competition will undoubtedly shape their future campaigns as they continue to improve and push for gold in upcoming tournaments. The lessons learned from this tournament will fuel their drive to reach new heights in the world of field hockey.
