India Men's tour of Australia | We can still do better in finishing, says Graham Reid
Graham Reid was impressed after India’s 3-0 win over Australia A, which is his first challenge as the coach of India’s men’s hockey team, but has called for the need of better finishing. The former Australian international also warned his players that the hosts will come back stronger next match.
India weren’t the favourites to win in Australia despite having a good squad on paper as they were expected by many to take time to undergo transition after a complete revamp of the coaching management. However, they stunned everyone by their aggression that saw them so early success in the first match.Â
The visitors dominated the first quarter with good possession and their relentless attempt to break the striking circle panned out well as they came up with three goals in that very quarter, thanks to goals from Rupinder Pal Singh and Sumit Kumar Junior. And while Reid praised his side for the first quarter, he felt India’s finishing could have been better.
"It was a very good first quarter with the basics right. We needed that first game (against Western Australia Thundersticks) to get used to the pitch. After a 3-0 lead, it was important we stayed focused on the process. The second and third quarter was tighter. I was happy with the things we have been working on, we created a lot of opportunities and I believe we can still do better in our finishing," said Reid after the match, reported Hockey India.
The Indian team would be playing the senior team next week on May 13, 2019, which Reid warned would be much difficult task than the comfortable start.
"The next game will be harder and we are looking forward to it. The team will be stronger from today's which had about seven national players from the Australian senior team. But it's a good progression," Reid added.
