Antwerp (Belgium): After suffering a 1-5 loss to Great Britain, India captain Sardar Singh today said his team needs to organise its defence better if it has to be ranked among the top international sides.
India conceded five goals as their defence crumbled in the bronze medal fixture of the World League Semifinals at the KHC Dragons Stadium here today.
The defeat meant Sardar's team lost a chance of featuring on the podium ahead of the World League Finals that India will be hosting later this year.
Four top teams from both World League Semifinals will qualify for the tournament, to be played from November 28 to December 6 in Raipur, Chattisgarh.
“We need to organise our game better and the defensive structure is a crucial part of it,” said Sardar, dejected to have let in five goals against Britian.
This was the first time Britain had scored five times in one game against India. The previous biggest win was 3-0 during the Seoul Olympics of 1988. In 2012 at the London, Britain had managed to score four goals against India but India retorted with two goals of their own.
The Indian defensive structure today fell apart as they were frequently caught off-guard by counter-attacks, but the defenders also faltered on penalty corners twice.
Goals from Alastair Brogdon (11th minute), Chris Griffiths (27th), Ashley Jackson (37th), Adam Dixon (42nd) and captain Barry Middleton (44th) gave Britain a five-goal lead before India pulled one back through Rupinder Pal Singh's penalty corner conversion in the 59th minute.
“The break down of our defensive structure was a let down for the team that aspired to put up a good show,” said Sardar.
The captain said India's strikers also need to be quick in taking chances when they come their way.
“We need more enhanced skills, but quick finishing is also essential,” he said.
“You can't show any laziness and hope to do well in international sport,” said Sardar.
