The Hindu : India TFA Blue loses to Uzbekistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 15, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

India TFA Blue loses to Uzbekistan

By S. Sabanayakan

St. Peter's MHSS (Kodaikanal) which won the Dindigul District Schools League title at Dindigul on Sunday.

JAMSHEDPUR SEPT. 14. India TFA Blue made far too many mistakes both in offence and defence and was punished for its transgression by Uzbekistan in the fourth league match of the J.R.D. Tata Cup International Invitational football tournament here on Sunday.

The two goals the second string Indian team conceded within 11 minutes in the later half was blamed on players' inexperience by the coach Satheevan Balan. "I am happy with the team's overall showing considering its inexperience. We made two defensive errors and were punished,'' he admitted in the post match press conference.

The Indians had everything going their way as the game opened at the J.R.D. Tata Sports Complex. The 3-5-2 formation the home team adopted looked good as the midfield functioned like a well-oiled machine. Looking back, it seemed the two forwards, S. Kuttimani and Manohar Dharani, were not upto the standard.

India Blue skipper Suiting Lekini's back centre to Kuttimani on top of the box was promptly shot goalward. Alexander Lobanov flung his big frame to left to snatch the left-footed shot. Soon after a lob from the left wing saw Kuttimani failing to trap correctly. The loose ball came to Dharanai whose shot was blocked by a defender.

The Uzbeks, finding the Indians attacking with tails up, preferred to stay back, allowed the Indians to come, closed the gaps and snatched the ball to launch quick counters. Uzbekistan's 4-4-2 formation gave the team a very flexible approach especially in the defence as at any given point of time they had seven to eight in front of the penalty box.

India Blue continued to rule the game with quick passes and deft throughs but failed to open up the Uzbek defence. At the beginning of the second quarter, Uzbek produced its first counter punch. The best player of the day from the visiting team, Muzaffar Umirzakov, set Shakhboz Erkinov with a diagonal pass from right. The striker, challenged by defender Sumit Thapa, blazed over from top of the six yard box.

The Uzbek's second positive chance came a little later. Josur Boboev shot off an Akmal Shorakhmedov lob was saved for an abortive corner by the Indian goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.

The change of ends meant more chances for the Indians. They produced five in quick succession. Thapa's reluctance to join the attack meant he gave way for Lester Fernandez midway through the first half. Fernandez brought purpose in the right wing attacks as N. Khemtang Paite faded out on the left. This did ease the pressure on the Uzbek defence.

Realising its folly of playing in the air to beat the taller and well-built Uzbek defenders, the Indians began to play more on the ground and adopted off the ball running to vacant positions. This tactic paid rich dividend as India Blue came close to scoring. Eight minutes inside the later half, Kuttimani's back pass to Lekini was shot hard at the goal but the goaltender managed to save the situation.

Two minutes later Rocus Lamare unleashed a 20-yard drive which hit a defender and flew goalward. Lobanov stood the test well to tip over. Four minutes later a Paite flag kick from the right corner was headed out by Mondal. The fourth chance came the next minute. A Babin Biswas' sharp lob from left was missed by Dharani.

The fifth and the best chance of the Indians came in the 19th minute. Fernandez worked his way down the right and his measured centre was made for Kuttimani. With a yawning net in front, he headed straight into the goalkeeper.

A fast tiring Indians found the Uzbek reorganising their attacks and began to use short triangular passes to advance. Biswas, who played as the snatcher with great success, and Paite failed to stop a move down the left. Umirzakov squared the ball to substitute Abbas Abdullayev who promptly placed it to an unmarked Erkinov. The ball ended inside the Indian net. That was in the 75th minute.

The Uzbek sealed the game in their favour in the 86th minute. This time it was a left wing move from where substitute Shakhboz Umarov squared to an unmarked Abbas Abdullayev. He had all the time in the world to shoot home.

With this win, Uzbekistan now leads the table with four points from two games. It had drawn its first game against Iran. India Blue, a winner against Bangladesh, ended with three from two matches.

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