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India's 5-1 victory against South Africa in the Bhubaneswar final on Saturday has put them in a strong position for Olympic qualification. This win earns them a place in the final qualifying round this October, where they will compete against seven other global teams for one of the two remaining spots at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Below, we break down the most significant highlights and lessons from India's successful run in the FIH Men’s Series Finals.India’s FIH Men’s Series Finals triumph.
Drag flick dominance
Varun Kumar and Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the tournament's standout scorers for India. Interestingly, both are defenders who dominated via penalty corners—a refreshing change from previous squads that often struggled to convert these opportunities. Together, the pair netted 12 goals through precise drag flicks, including four of the five goals in the final. It is also worth noting that Rupender Pal Singh, a highly reliable drag flicker, was absent from this roster but remains a vital asset for the upcoming final qualifiers.
Strong defence
The defensive line was arguably the strongest unit of the tournament. India's backline was incredibly disciplined, allowing only four goals in total while controlling the tempo and possession in nearly every match. Their resilience was most evident against a high-pressing Japanese side, where defenders Surender, Harmanpreet, and Varun limited the opposition to two goals and maintained a commanding 66% possession. This success stems from a calculated strategy designed to stifle the opponent's build-up and keep the ball far from their own defensive third.
Asian supremacy
Winning the tournament in such a convincing fashion reaffirms India's status as an Asian powerhouse. On their path to the trophy, they dismantled teams like Uzbekistan and Russia with identical 10-0 scorelines, playing nearly flawless hockey. By also overcoming Japan, they have sent a clear message to the rest of the continent about their strength heading into the next Asian Games.
Goalkeeper replacement found
For years, P R Sreejash has been the backbone of India's defense, though a slight dip in form and a few costly errors during last year's World Cup led the coaching staff to start Krishan Pathak for this event. The decision paid off; the 22-year-old was superb, letting in only four goals across five matches. Pathak's three critical saves in the final were instrumental in the 5-1 victory, proving he is a capable successor and a ready replacement for the veteran Sreejash.
Written by: Saurabh Shankar