Three European powerhouses (Netherlands, Germany and Belgium) were pitted today against three Asian middle-ranked teams (Malaysia, Japan and Korea). Asian teams showed the passion and aggression in the first half in spurts. European teams were not finding the rhythm in attack. So, nothing happened in the first half, there were no goals, zippo, zilch! In the second half, the methodical approach of Europeans and the lack of dribbling skills of Asians were sufficiently exposed. Again, nothing unexpected happened. Europeans won with large margins. In the fourth game, New Zealand established the early lead against enthusiastic Chile, which Chile could not overcome. But in the process, Chile scored their first ever goal in the World Cup and the only goal by a loser in this first round of league matches. Pretty pathetic and boring. Isn’t it?
Is it because this is the first round of league matches that eliminate just one team out of four from each group? Is it because I am hockeyed out watching 16 hours of hockey in two days? Is the gap between excellent teams and second level teams too wide? Who knows!
Of course, I can go into details and explain spectacular positioning of five German defensive players such that Japan could not penetrate the pass to its attackers. Such amazing spatial awareness of defense is impossible to see on TV. In attack, they always had two players in the circle (note that unlike Soccer, there is no offside in Hockey). They moved the defenders to the midfield (leaving the goal fully exposed) and the midfielders provided the transition to feel the circle. Wow! Will they have the same chakravyuha against India and which Abhimnyu will break it? Stay tuned. It can get pretty interesting!
