Kuala Lumpur, Sept 22: With a win against China under their belt, India will rest a few key players in their second outing in the sixth Asia Cup hockey tournament against Bangladesh tomorrow to keep them fresh for the all-important match against Pakistan on Wednesday. India, in Pool B alongside China, Bangladesh and Pakistan, need just a draw tomorrow to make it to the semifinals.
Their main concern at the moment is to avoid meeting defending champions South Korea in the semifinal. They will be able to do that if they top their group by winning all their league matches, assuming that Korea will top Pool A.
Bangladesh, smarting under a 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Pakistan yesterday, look to be struggling and they are expected to go down without much fight to the Indians as well.
India's main challenge would be their last league match against Pakistan, who will also leave no stone unturned to see that they do not run into the wily South Koreans before the final.
However, the Asian Games champions looked out of sorts in their opening match against hosts Malaysia where they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw.
Bureau Report