Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Indian women’s hockey coach C.R. Kumar rued missing several scoring opportunities and thereby splitting points with lowly Ukraine in their opening match in the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Saturday.

Kumar blamed his forwards for not finishing the several moves that they made against Ukraine, who are one of the lowest ranked teams in the tournament at World No.26. India are the second highest ranked team in the event at World No.13.

“Today we missed several scoring opportunities. The three points were there for taking but we missed them. We cannot take chances against any team. Rankings hardly matter in international hockey,” said Kumar.

Kumar said the team has to rectify the mistakes.

“We don’t have much time on our hands but we have to rectify the mistakes,” he said.

The Indian coach blamed his forward line for the draw.

“Our forwards failed to gel well. It is an area of concern for us. This was the first match of the tournament and it was a learning experience for us,” he said.

India’s failure to convert any of the four penalty corners was also a concern for Kumar.

India were awarded two penalty corners in the dying minutes of the game but the second one was disallowed after Ukraine’s technical advisor Jose Brasa, former India men’s coach, protested that the penalty corner was given just as the hooter was blown.

Kumar said the last penalty corner was legal and later technical officials admitted the mistake.

“After the match I protested with the technical officials and they admitted that disallowing the last penalty corner was a mistake because the ball was still in play,” he said.

India captain Asanta Lakra said that their combination didn’t work against Ukraine.

“Today the combination didn’t work. Our forward line had no control,” he said.