The Hindu : Masterly start by India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 29, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Masterly start by India

By Our Hockey Correspondent

India 4 Argentina 1

Germany 2 Spain 2

Hamburg June 28. Picking up the threads of the aura of triumph in Australia, India began its campaign in the Hamburg Masters at the Uehelenhorsters HC on a warm, sunny afternoon here on Friday, with an impressive performance against formidable Argentina, coasting to a 4-1 victory after leading 2-0 at half-time.

What stood out in India's performance was the impeccable man to man marking and sudden bursts of counter attack that kept even the usually ebullient Jorge Lombi, the veteran of the Argentine squad, subdued.

The defence, after an initial hiccup when it allowed Lucas Camareri to move up menacingly, recovered its poise as the match progressed. Moreover, it was extremely well organised too with Dilip Tirkey playing a commanding role. And it was only in the fitness of things that he gave India the lead. This he did with an immaculate carpet drive from a penalty corner that hoisted the lead in the seventh minute.

Perked up by this early turn of events, the Indian frontline hit the right rhythm, keeping the evergreen Dhanraj Pillay as the focal point. Dhanraj took the initiative in almost every move, and if the lead was not enhanced immediately it was the result of some flippant shooting by Prabhjot Singh and then by Deepak Thakur.

In the early minutes, Dhanraj surged through picking up the ball from Gagan Ajit Singh only to be baulked by goalkeeper Pablo Morreira. Midway through, after Dilip Tirkey had pumped in that penalty corner goal, Dhanraj went on a brilliant solo run and passed the ball to Prabhot Singh. With only the goalkeeper in front, Prabhot shot wide.

Then again Dhanraj and Dhillon indulged in a bout of passing that had a touch a class, but Dhillon's backhander went over the post.

The induction of Jugraj Singh further strengthened the defence, where Baljit Singh Saini played a prominent part. It was one of his long hits from inside the Indian circle that sent Deepak, Gagan and Prabhjot Singh in a splendid chase towards the goal, but it ended only in a penalty corner. Jugraj converted the award with a superb drag flick that left Pablo totally bewildered.

India had three penalty corners in this half and converted two.

The tempo did not slacken at all, as India continued its dominance. As though to establish this supremacy, Baljit Dhillon flicked in a penalty corner for the third goal.

Finding that the match was slipping away, Argentina then showed some urgency and stepped up the pressure. Argentina forced four penalty corners in this half and converted one, Carlos Retegui eventually beating Devesh Chauhan, who came up with a sterling performance in the goal.

But undeterred by this, India restored its pace with Dhanraj working well with Prabhot Singh. And the move by the latter gave Gagan Ajit Singh enough time in the circle to beat Pablo Morreira and notch up the fourth goal of the match to complete a satisfying day for India.

Germany rallies well

Shocked by two first-half goals by Spain, World champion Germany recovered to share points in the second match of the day.

The young Spanish team and the coach, Maurits Hendriks, can take pride in the outcome. Spain had shocked Germany in the last World Cup at Kuala Lumpur.

Xavier Ribas shot in a penalty corner and this was followed by a stroke by Juan Escarre midway through.

Germany got its act together in the second half, scoring two goals in the space of a minute through Timo Wess and Tibor.

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