Indian men have been head and shoulders above their five opponents, which is signified by their unbeaten four-match run that includes a mammoth 32 goals. Though mathematically they still aren't through, experts can endorse that it's just a matter of finishing the league phase to confirm India's entry into the final.
The fight unto death is for the Indian women who will play a knock-out match against Italy, with the winner to play South Africa for a place in the London Games. South Africa confirmed their entry into the final with a 5-2 rout of India on Wednesday, which left the hosts in a must-win situation.
India's defence was widely exposed by the South African forwards who kept them under the pump even though India made it 2-2 at one stage. But beside lapses in the defence, the team's inconsistent penalty-corner conversion has become a headache for coach CR Kumar.
"The penalty corners remain an area of concern. We are not earning enough penalty corners and not even converting them. We need to work on these areas," Kumar said after one of the matches.
But the team has just one chance left before they can renew their hopes of an Olympic qualification. Indian women are currently third in the standings with seven points from four matches, behind Italy who have a point more. But if India beat the Italians on Friday, they will move into to the final; however, Italy need just a draw to go through.
Table-toppers South Africa will play Canada on Friday. But the South Africans are assured of a top-two finish even if they lose as they already have 10 points. So for the Indian eves, the layout is simple: beat Italy and move into the final against South Africa.
But the scenario is tense in the men's half of the qualifiers. France (9 points), Poland (9 points) and Canada (6 points) are all in with a shout to play the 1st-2nd place qualification match. However, there are all sorts of combinations and permutations that will come into play.
India play Poland and France train guns against Canada in two of the three remaining league fixtures on Friday, with Italy and Singapore playing a dead rubber. Of the four teams in fray, Canada are in a must-win situation because if they lose, they are out. India – who have 12 points – are almost through, but if they lose to Poland and France beat Canada, all three (India, Poland and France) will be level on 12 points and goal difference will be looked at.
But India have scored enough (32 goals) and shouldn't face any trouble even if they lose to Poland, which is highly unlikely.
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