Sardar Singh Urges India to Sharpen Man-Marking Discipline

Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh has said India must improve their discipline in man-to-man marking if they are to consistently match leading European teams and Australia. Singh believes the Indian side has the quality to compete through ball possession, but said defensive responsibility away from the ball remains an important area to address.

Singh, a member of three successive Asian Games medal-winning Indian teams including the 2014 gold-medal side in Incheon, said players were carrying out most of the instructions given by coaches. However, he identified a significant gap in man-to-man marking and urged the team to play with greater discipline.

Man-marking identified as the key gap

“We are up there among the best when it comes to ball possession, but what we lack is discipline in man-to-man marking,” Singh said. “The tasks given by the coaches, both with and without the ball, are being executed correctly by players 90 per cent of the time.”

He added that the remaining gap could be decisive against top opposition. “But there is a big gap in man-to-man marking. You have to play more disciplined hockey to bridge that gap,” Singh said.

According to the former captain, European teams and Australia are quick to make use of lapses in that part of the game. He questioned why a group capable of performing well individually could not bring the same collective strength to the field as a team.

“Europeans take advantage in those areas. When we are good individually, why can’t we be strong as a team?” Singh said.

His comments focused on the difference between having possession and maintaining discipline in assignments without the ball. Singh’s message was that India have the ability to compete with elite sides, but must execute consistently as a unit when dealing with the demands of man-to-man marking.

Progress in Indian hockey

Singh also pointed to what he sees as significant progress in Indian hockey over the last decade. He said the improvement has been visible across both the men’s and women’s sections, particularly in physical fitness and mental strength.

He urged players to recognise the importance of the preparation that goes into major competitions, including the World Cup. “Players must realise that they are going to the World Cup, an event that comes only once every four years,” he said, referring to the camps and preparation undertaken by the squad.

“We are mentally stronger and physically fitter than before,” Singh added. He cited the recent men’s and women’s World Cups, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, while discussing the broader strides made by Indian hockey.

Focus turns to Asian Champions Trophy

Singh also addressed Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Asian Champions Trophy, which begins in Punjab on Tuesday. He said India should not be distracted by the decision and should instead concentrate on the five teams taking part in the competition.

“We don’t care. Pakistan were expected to come but withdrew later for whatever reasons. That has nothing to do with us,” Singh said. He noted India’s recent record against Pakistan, while saying that the matter rests with Pakistan’s federation and the Asian Hockey Federation.

Pakistan had, however, pushed India hard at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, where India secured a 4-3 gold-medal victory through a last-minute goal. For Singh, the priority now is how India perform against the teams in the Asian Champions Trophy field.

With the tournament set to be held in Jalandhar, Singh said India will be overwhelming favourites. He highlighted Punjab’s contribution to Indian hockey and said players who began their journeys in Jalandhar will have the chance to perform before a home crowd. His hope is that India produce strong hockey and bring the Asian Champions Trophy home.