Indian hockey team gets Rupinder Pal Singh boost ahead of Pakistan clash
Indian men’s hockey team head coach Paul van Ass has indicated that penalty corner specialist Rupinder Pal Singh will play against the arch-rivals Pakistan in their 3rd league game of the Hockey World League (HWL) semi-finals. With him being the lone penalty corner specialist in the full squad, it is a huge confidence boost for this Indian side.
Rupinder is the only penalty corner specialist in the side as Van Ass wanted the team to try different indirect strategies from the short corner. However, the team played without the 24-year old in the first two matches and fans were fretting over the availability of the defender, who will play as a midfielder in the tournament.
When asked about Rupinder’s chances, the Dutchman said, “Yes, Rupinder will play the next game”.
Initially, it was VR Raghunath who was selected as the lone penalty corner specialist in the 18-member squad for the HWL. But, he got injured even before India left for Belgium and was replaced by Rupinder, who was initially dropped.
However, fate played a cruel hand as Rupinder also suffered an injury during a practice match ahead of the HWL.
These injuries had a huge effect on India’s penalty corner conversions with India converting only 1 out of 6 penalty corners earned. Coach Van Ass realized this weak link in the team and said, “We’re a bit weak in penalty-corners at the moment. Rupinder has not been fit and we did not play him in these two games.”
With matches against Pakistan and Australia coming up, the Indian team will rely on Rupinder’s drag-flicks to give them the much-needed goals. Rupinder has been sensational since he made his mark in Malaysia 4 years ago, scoring 47 goals in 116 caps for his national side.
India clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on 26th June and the match will be telecasted live at Star Sports at 19:30 IST.