The Hindu : Helen's heroics put India on top

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 31, 2003

Sport

Sport - Afro-Asian Games

Helen's heroics put India on top

By V. V. Subrahmanyam

The jubilant members of the Indian women's hockey team which took the gold beating South Africa in the final on Thursday. — Photo: Vino John

HYDERABAD OCT. 30. Indian women clinched the gold with a thrilling 5-4 win over South Africa, via tie-breaker, after being locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time in the final of the Afro-Asian Games hockey competition at the Gachibowli Hockey Complex here on Thursday.

If it was goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan who fashioned the host's entry into the men's final through a similar route, it was the turn of Helen Innocent to rise to the occasion by bringing off two smart saves in the absorbing tie-breaker in front of a roaring crowd.

With the issue yet to be settled, the best player of the evening — Chanu Sanggai — fittingly netted the match-winner through a weak push to the right of the goal. The ball just rolled in, triggering a wave of celebrations.

With the teams 1-1 after regulation time, the tie-breaker was enforced. For South Africa, only Jennifer Wilson, Carlisle Lindsay and Susan Webber converted while Pietie Coetze and Kotze Johke failed to get past a very alert Helen who brought off diving saves.

For the Indians, only Subadhra Pradhan was off target while Jasjeet Kaur, Surinder Kaur, Jyoti Kullu and Chanu were successful. There was immense pressure on Chanu when she took the shot though she had the crowd rooting for her.

Fortune favours the brave and the heroic effort Chanu put in throughout the match was rewarded when her weak push slipped past the goalkeeper.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, South Africa decided that aggression was the best option and soon forced a penalty corner in the 16th minute but Helen again saved a powerful hit by Coetzee.

The teams earned two penalty corners each in the first half as the defenders and goalkeepers on either side proved a tough nut to crack. Consequently, the teams went to the break 0-0.

On resumption, it was South Africa which was more determined and launched a series of forays. Coetzee, Carlisle and Jennifer worked in tandem while Susan played the role of schemer to perfection. It wasn't a surprise when the visitor went ahead in the 39th minute as Jennifer sounded the boards off a penalty corner hit taken by Kerry which was not blocked cleanly by the Indian defenders. Spurred by that effort, Coetze had another splendid run down the centre but saw her backhander hit the vertical and go out.

Till the latter half of the second session, Chanu was not given the freedom she normally enjoys. Yet, the diminutive forward proved menacing once she decided to break the shackles of the closely-marking South African defenders. India had the misfortune of seeing Adline make a mess of a superb effort by Jyoti, who dribbled all the way from the centre into the striking zone and passed to the former who wasted the golden opportunity.

However, India levelled scores in the 52nd minute when a penalty corner was converted by Suman Bala.

The dying minutes saw South Africa almost score the second goal but once again Coetzee's angular backhander was well blocked by Helen. The Indian defence was put to serious test for the last 10 minutes as South Africa forced four penalty corners. But the host hung on and the match ended in 1-1.

With little to separate the two teams even in extra-time, the tie went into a tie-breaker where Helen proved India's heroine.

Korea wins bronze

Earlier, Korea recorded a solitary goal win over China with Lee Youn Lee scoring in the 55th minute after a barren first half.

Other results: Fifth place: Kenya bt Kazakhstan 3-1; Seventh place: Ghana bt Nigeria 5-0.

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