The final time Pakistan performed a full-strength Indian facet in India was in 2014. A late Pakistan winner was adopted by unsavoury scenes between the guests and the gang on the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar, main to a couple Pakistani gamers being suspended and jeopardising hockey relations between the 2 international locations.

“We’ve taken our revenge for 2014 many times after that,” India ahead Mandeep Singh – who was injured for that match – tells ESPN.

It’s true – because the groups put together for his or her Asian Champions Trophy match in Chennai on Wednesday, the rivalry between the 2 is definitely not what it was in 2014. It’s been seven years since Pakistan beat India, and even that win in 2016 was towards an experimental Indian facet on the South Asian Games in Guwahati. Since then, India have performed Pakistan 14 instances, successful 12 and drawing two.

That stat would not play on Mandeep’s thoughts although. Even with India’s latest dominance, he stated the rivalry stays within the gamers’ heads. “I’m looking forward to it. If we give 100% in other games, against Pakistan we give 200%,” he stated.

Rehan Butt, Pakistan’s assistant coach, definitely sees the fact of the scenario. “India are ranked 4th in the world, Pakistan are 16th. Our match right now is not at all against them. If these young boys go out there, fight and stand equal against India, that is a win for us as coaches,” the ex-forward advised ESPN. That is a far cry from his heyday as a world celebrity, when the 2 neighbours contested some fierce battles on turfs around the globe.

However, this may not be the mismatch that it appears on paper. Pakistan have performed wonderful attacking hockey in all 4 of their matches to this point at this event, whereas India have oscillated between extremes. Pakistan have solely garnered 5 factors in 4 matches to this point, however there’s a robust case that they have been the higher facet in every of these video games — it is simply that the inexperienced facet have not been in a position to cross the road.

India’s give attention to consistency and the collective

India’s coach Craig Fulton acknowledged Pakistan’s attacking endeavour and the ability of their forwards, saying that one-on-one defending is an space his facet would wish to enhance on. “We need to improve our one-vs-one tackling, but I focus on the collective. How we minimize those situations is crucial,” Fulton stated.

On the opposite hand, the South African additionally confused the necessity for combos in assault. “It’s tougher to build a collective attack than one guy just running past everyone. That’s what we’re working on, for the collective to be strong enough, combine well, and score beautiful goals,” he stated.

India may be via to the semifinals already, and assured a top-two spot, however Fulton stated his facet will not be stress-free tomorrow. They’ve not proven consistency in performances at this event to this point, so that may be a field they’d like to tick earlier than the semifinals, the place they may presumably face their neighbours as soon as once more. “We want to put in a good performance, take three more points, and momentum into the semifinals,” he stated.

This is an skilled, battle-hardened Indian staff who’ve had the higher hand over their neighbours in the previous couple of years, however Fulton nonetheless emphasised the necessity to not be fazed by the event. “We need to play the game on the occasion, not the occasion itself,” he stated.

Pakistan look to enhance ending

Pakistan have had probably the most circle entries for any facet at this event to this point, however have solely managed seven targets of their 4 video games to this point.

“Our finishing is a clear weakness,” appearing head coach Muhammad Saqlain stated. “We have had 65 circle entries, but not converted our chances. We’ve shown the players those videos and how they need to improve in those situations,” he stated.

While acknowledging India’s prowess in the meanwhile, and the sting they maintain over Pakistan, Saqlain stated that his facet would proceed to play the attacking type they’ve displayed all event. “If we score early in the game and put India under pressure, then who knows what can happen? It’s not just us, India will be under pressure as well, so it is important to start well in the first quarter,” he stated.

While Fulton could not cease speaking about India’s have to play with a construction, Saqlain stated India haven’t got one. “Korea play with a structure, Japan played with a structure against India, India don’t play with a structure, they rely only on their physical fitness and penalty corner ability,” he stated.

And so, it is time for India v Pakistan once more.

“It’s at home, so we have to win,” stated Mandeep. Even so far-off from its pomp, that is India v Pakistan. There’s nothing fairly prefer it.