Sport - Hockey   

Asia Cup begins today

By S. Thyagarajan

Kuala Lumpur Sept. 20. Conceived as early as in the late 50s as the essential instrument to proliferating hockey, the concept of a continental hockey competition, christened the Asia Cup, crystallised only in 1982. Whether the idea germinated from the then Secretary, Salu Sait of the Indian Hockey Federation as claimed by some, or from that powerful Pakistani, Ali Iqtadir Shah (AIS Dara to many), is today not wholly relevant. But the fact that the event blossomed from the energy and enterprise exerted on the FIH administration by the triple Olympian and Secretary of Asian Hockey Federation, Brig, M.H.Atif, be acknowledged as pathbreaking.

As the sixth edition begins tomorrow at Bukit Jalil, it is not easy to resist the temptation of recapturing the vicissitudes of a competition that witnessed the transformation of the scenario in the continent and the altering equations. No more is the sub-continental ethos dominant; on the contrary, the hegemony of Pakistan and India has been systematically decimated by the power, style and system perfected by the Koreans from the mid-eighties.

With the saga of Seong Tae Song and Yeo Woon Koon behind, the Koreans perforce have to forge a more vibrant unit. The defeat at Rangburg possibly has set the coach, Jeon Jae-Hong, thinking.

Three veterans, Kin Kyong Seok, Lim Jong Chun and Kim Young Bae have been recalled for this event, in which the Koreans take the home team in the opening round of Pool A match. Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong are grouped in this pool.

Assuming that Korea is the favourite to top this group, the fight for the second place has to be between Malaysia and Japan. But the Malaysian experience after the bronze medal triumph at Busan against Pakistan is one of painful deterioration.

The team flopped before the home audience in the Azlan Shah Trophy taking the last spot, and finished again at the bottom in the Champions Challenge at Randburg. Coach Paul Lissek is endeavouring to strike a balanced combination to ensure a decent performance.

Japan is not in its full force missing the popular Ito Mitsuru and Kikkawa Yashuhiro. The team will have to rely on the expertise of Yamabori and Tobita.

Quite predictably, India and Pakistan should be the teams reckoned assured of a semifinal berth, as neither Bangladesh nor China has an impressive record despite a bronze in the inaugural edition in 1982.

Less than a month ago, India and Pakistan figured in two spectacular matches at Amstelveen, and, understandably, their meeting again on September 24 is viewed as the piece de resistance of this year Asia Cup.

Neither team has made any significant changes after Amstelveen; Pakistan giving way for Shakeel Abbasi to Sameer Hussain, while India is without the injured Jugraj Singh, replaced by Dinesh Naik, and Sandeep Micheal taking the spot of mid-fielder Vinay.

India meets China

India locks horns with China on Sunday, having a perfect record of victories in all the seven previous outings. Significantly India has not played China after the 2-1 win in 1998 at Bangkok.

The Chinese, now coached by Pakistan's Olympian, Junaid, have figured in a dozen or more matches against Pakistan and Malaysia as a pre-tournament exercise. Known for their athleticism and aggressive approach, the Chinese are bound to go full stretch against the Indians. Simply put, the Indians, only a bronze medallist in the last edition, cannot afford to take things for granted.

Dhanraj Pillay shows the assurance of stamping a quality performance in the event notwithstanding the absence of Jugraj Singh. The induction of Dinesh Naik has certainly bolstered the defence, and the coach can forge a strong combination capable of matching the attack and defence of the top teams like Pakistan and South Korea if Rajinder Singh handles the squad with more imagination and ingenuity.

The contest against China is to set the tone and tenor of the progress for India, while Paksitan, seeking to regain the trophy has nothing to fear against Bangladesh.

As the tension heightens amidst the supporters to identify the automatic qualifier for the next World Cup in 2006 in Germany, there is reasonable hope that a great event is about to unfold.

Sunday's matches: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (3 p.m. IST, Pitch II); Japan vs Hongkong (3.30 p.m. (Pitch I); India vs China (5 p.m. Pitch II); Malaysia v Korea (5.30 p.m. Pitch I).

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

Cricket

• A mountain to climb for Rest
  
  Tennis
  
• India pays the price for Paes' absence
• Australia, Spain in lead
  
  Hockey
  
• Asia Cup begins today
  
  Football
  
• Iran beats India TFA Blue, enters final
  
  Athletics
  
• Anil, Aruna claim bronze as China dominates opening day
  
  Badminton
  
• Vijeta clinches title
  
  Chess
  
• Three IMs shocked as 34 share lead
  
  Squash
  
• Sandeep, Vikas in final
  
  Swimming
  
• Shikha sinks 100m backstroke National mark
  
  Table Tennis
  
• Raman starts campaign in style
  
  

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu