The Hindu : India succumbs to Aussie pressure

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 14, 2004

Sport

Sport - Hockey

India succumbs to Aussie pressure

By S. Thyagarajan

Korea 4 Spain 1

Australia 4 India 2

KUALA LUMPUR, JAN. 13. India produced a heart-warming performance but that was insufficient to stop Australia taking full points in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament here today. India led 2-0 and then 2-1 at half-time before capitulating to the pressure. Australia has seven points from four matches.

Earlier, South Korea put up an impressive display against Spain to register its first win in four matches.

Dhanraj Pillay stunned the Australian defence and goalkeeper Stephen Mowlam with two splendid goals within the first quarter to set the tone of a pulsating match. The Indian captain cast away his inhibitions inside the circle and made good two chances. It was Vikram Pillay who launched this brilliant sally. After ambling in a good distance he sent the ball to Hari Prasad on the wing. The latter moving close to the flag essayed a powerful cross and Dhanraj provided the finishing touch.

Flummoxed by the turn of events, the Aussies had little time to recover when Dhanraj was on the prowl again. This time he plucked the ball from the hesitant Aussie defender, Josh Hawes, on top of the circle and flicked it into the boards.

If only Sandeep Singh had made good use of the first penalty corner that surfaced within two minutes after the push off, India would have been riding the crest of success.

The Indians controlled the mid-field with assurance thanks to the adeptness displayed by Vikram Pillay, Ignace Tirkey and Vinay. Though the pivot, Prabhdeep Singh, and defender Harpal Singh were ineffective, full-back William Xalco cut short quite a few Aussie sallies. Goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh also rose to the occasion effecting neat saves and India even survived a penalty corner when Ignace rushed out to baulk Troy Elder.

Pooling all their strength the Aussies pressurised the Indian defence. Close on half-time, Australia reduced the lead from a penalty corner. Tristrom Woodhouse tapped the ball in from a push by Liam de Young.

The Aussies were relentless in their quest for the equaliser on resumption and almost made it when McCann passed but Schubert missed the mark. From the ensuing penalty corner Troy Elder restored parity.

Kamaldeep brought off a lovely save from the next effort by Elder. The defence, however, began to show signs of withering as the pace increased.

The Aussies got their third goal when Kamaldeep rushed out of his charge to thwart a move. Ben Taylor made the most of the ensuing skirmish. Adrian D'Souza came in as substitute for Kamaldeep Singh after this reverse. With seconds left, Schubert enlarged the lead.

After a spell of inane performances, Asian champion, Korea regained its poise to annihilate Spain in a splendid second half display. Not only did the Spaniards offer tight resistance but also got the equaliser which they did midway in the second half. But in the last quarter the Koreans stunned the Spanish defence with a few forceful raids to inflict a humiliating defeat.

Seo Jong Ho was the pick of the Koreans. He wove his way through the defence to provide the openings. The seasoned Song Seung Tae contributed immensely to keeping the frontline on the move. In fact, it was one of his brilliant runs along with Lee Jung Seon that culminated in the latter hitting the target for the lead.

Undaunted by this reverse, Spain, served well in the mid-field by veteran Juan Escarre, attacked with vigour. Escarre received excellent support from Xavier Ribas. The equaliser looked imminent and it was in the fitness of things that it should come from Escarre. A quick hit by Santi Freixa rolled off goalkeeper Ko Dong Sik's stick. Escarre wrested the ball and flicked it in.

But within minutes a splendid bout of passing between Song and Lee Jung ended with Seo Jung hoisting the lead again. Spain did give some anxious moments midway through but the Korean defence held on stoically. In the last five minutes, the Seo Jong Ho launched two swift raids and pumped in two goals. A feeble attempt to intercept Yew Woon Kon by Xavier Ribas failed as the ball trickled in. Even before the cheers died down, Korea slotted in one more through Lee Jung Seon to record its first win in four matches and take its tally to four points. Spain also has four points.

Wednesday's matches: Germany v Spain (1-35 p.m.); Pakistan v Malaysia (3-35 p.m.); India v Korea (5-35 p.m.).

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