The Hindu : India steamrollers Bangladesh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 24, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

India steamrollers Bangladesh

By S. Thyagarajan

Korea 7 Hong Kong 1
India 10 Bangladesh 0

Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay weaves his way past Bangladesh's Md Zahidul Islam in their Asia Cup encounter in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. — Reuters

Kuala Lumpur Sept. 23. A disturbing note of monotony has pervaded the Asia Cup, notwithstanding the avalanche of goals surfacing out of ill-matched and imbalanced combinations striving to dish out a quality unacceptable to the audience.

If there was a ghostly silence in and around Bukit Jalil after a heavy afternoon shower on Tuesday, the somnolence was not merely in response to the desultory show by the host unit, Malaysia, which faces the threat of elimination from the semifinal line up, but to the event, which is yet to spring into life reflecting the stature of a continental competition.

The anticipation is that the India-Pakistan contest tomorrow will inject an element of excellence to behold. Tahir Zaman, the Pakistan put the preview in the right perspective when he said, "the beauty of hockey is there only when India and Pakistan play".

India really luxuriated against Bangladesh hitting double figures after a very, very long time but fell short by a goal to have the advantage against Pakistan. Both teams now have a goal difference of plus 14 (15-1) and one more goal by India, which missed as many as four in the final minutes would have given it the option to play for a draw and still take the top place in Pool B.

At the moment, a clear cut verdict is a must for both, and this invests the tie with greater significance. India, however, has earned the berth for the semifinals.

As the match unfolded this evening, it was clear that Bangladesh was no match to the Indians, who rested Baljit Singh Saini, for the tie. From the moment, Dilip Tirkey pumped in that penalty corner for the lead, the Indians had the whip-hand.

There were some eye-catching sallies with Dhanraj delighting the small crowd of Indian supporters with delectable runs supported by Deepak and Gagan. What stood out in the contest was the good midfield work of Bimal Lakra and Ignace Tirkey, as also the display of Vikram Pillay, who had a full match in the absence of Saini.

With the Bangaldesh defence offering very little resistance, the frontline had a free run creating adequate space for everyone. But India missed chances galore, Baljit Singh Dhillon and Prabhjot Singh, flunking quite a few.

It is difficult to imagine Dhillon in the role of a drag flicker as a substitute for Jugraj Singh. The few he attempted failed from the point of accuracy although late in the match he produced a stunner of a flick.

Sandeep Michael had a good match and, what more, scored a goal too. Deepak Thakur, Dhanraj Pillay, Gagan Ajit Singh (2), Prabhjot Singh also figured in the tally but everyone was guilty of missing a chance or two.

Dilip Tirkey produced a superb penalty corner hit for the 10th goal. It was a short worth its weight in gold.

Bangladesh had the misfortune of having its seasoned goal-keeper Rasel Khan injured late in the first half, and the substitute Mahahbub Ullah was inadequate to tackle the marauding Indian forwards.

Amidst the ruins however one must pick up the brave work of winger Ariful Haq Prince. Some of his fluent runs down the line were good enough to fetch a goal or two. But alas, there was none to give this gallant warrior a hand to hoist a goal.

Even the defending champion, Korea, has failed to impress so far. The verdict it secured in Pool A against Hong Kong, the first in two matches after sharing points with Malaysia on the opening day, was anything but convincing.

The Hong Kong goal-keeper, Chi Yan won the hearts of a few who gathered at the Stadium for his intrepid display which was highlighted by the save he made off a penalty stroke from Kim Keong Seok shortly after half-time.

The solitary goal that Hong Kong obtained as the equaliser in the early stages of the match looked more charming than the handful that the Koreans struck. Ali Akbar smashed in a rebound after goal-keeper Lim Jong padded a shot by Farooq from a penalty corner.

Lee Gyn Sung, Lim Jong Woo, Seo Jong Ho (2), Kim Jung Chul, Lee Jung Seon and Jang Jong Hyn scored for Korea.

Wednesday's matches: Malaysia v Hong Kong (3 p.m. IST, Pitch II); China v Bangladesh (3-30 p.m.), Japan v Korea (5 p.m. Pitch II); India v Pakistan (5-30 p.m.)

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