Hockey
Asian Champions Trophy: Forward Abhishek doubtful for India's semi-final
Abhishek had picked up an ankle injury during the warmup match against Malaysia.
Abhishek Nain (Photo credit: Hockey India)
India's chief coach Craig Fulton on Monday said in-form striker Abhishek is still doubtful for their semifinal against South Korea on Wednesday as he is yet to recover from the ankle injury he sustained during the warm-up ahead of the match against Malaysia on Sunday.
India blanked South Korea 8-0 to remain unbeaten in the tournament and will again play the Koreans in the semifinals on Wednesday in Mohali. Malaysia and Japan will feature in the other last-four game.
"We're not sure yet. We're waiting to find out. He's (Abhishek) injured, so we're seeing if he can make it back. We'll have to wait. The timeline is very short," Fulton said.
"If we play him, we'll injure him, so we're not sure. We'll see."
The South African coach, however, was happy with his side's performance on Monday.
"Yeah, it was good. We played well. We played really well. I enjoyed it. Well, we played our style of hockey. We were good on the ball.
"And when we start to move the ball, transfer the ball, then it's difficult for them. I mean, seven-eight goals. That's a lot of goals. I'm happy," he said.
"Start again. The pressure is different. It will be different. Pressure must be on them. We need a good start. That's our key."
India skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored from a penalty corner on Monday, was optimistic about Abhishek's availability for the semifinal.
"I don't know anything. I think he will be back."
He too was satisfied with India's performance against the Koreans.
"I am very happy. I think if you are getting opportunities on time and you are scoring, it is definitely an advantage. We are creating opportunities in every match, but sometimes we score and sometimes we don't.
"We have won the match. Next match is a new day, a new match, a new mindset. We will come with the same attitude," he concluded.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Bridge Desk. It is published from a syndicated feed.)