Asian Games 2023: Indian Men's Hockey Team Looks To Improve PC Conversion Rate Against Singapore

Indian men's hockey team will be aiming to improve its penalty corner conversion rate when it squares off with lowly Singapore in a second pool A match of the Asian Games on Tuesday. Firm favourites India blanked lowly Uzbekistan 16-0 in their tournament opener on Sunday but the Harmanpreet Singh-led side knows that there is room for improvement. Especially, when it comes to penalty corners, Indian team has fluffed their chances despite possessing a potent bunch of drag-flickers. In skipper Harmanpreet, who was rested in the opening match, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas and Sanjay comprise a potent force in penalty corner force.

But despite that India converted just five out of the 14 penalty corners they earned in the match against Uzbekistan and it would be a matter of concern for chief coach Craig Fulton going into the game against Singapore.

The good thing is that Harmanpreet will play Tuesday's match and going by his reputation, the onus would be on him to take the responsibility in the penalty corner division.

But the good part of India's performance against Uzbekistan is their display in the forward-line as out of the 16 goals, 10 came of field play.

Lalit Upadhyay shone bright in the forward-line scoring four fine goals, while Mandeep Singh was a livewire, finding the net thrice and also setting up a few assists for his teammates.

The midfield, led by Manpreet Singh, vice-captain Hardik Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, would look to continue its steady performance.

But Fulton would be wary about the fact that the Indian defence has hardly been tested against Uzbekistan as goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood as mere spectators in the entire 60 minutes and did not have to make a single save.

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