The Hindu : Sport : India downs Germany

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 08, 2004

Sport

Sport

India downs Germany

LAHORE, DEC. 7. India bounced back after conceding an early goal to defeat Germany 3-1 for its first win in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

In the other matches of the day, defending champion Holland defeated Pakistan 4-1 to remain on course for a third straight title, while Spain scored a tough 3-1 win over New Zealand.

With nine points each from three matches, Spain and Holland jointly lead the table. Pakistan has six points.

After a listless display in the first-half when it conceded a goal in the 20th minute, India pulled up its socks to open the points tally in this elite six-nation tournament at the National Stadium.

Sandeep Michael (40th minute), Arjun Halappa (59th) and Vivek Gupta (68th) scored for India after Jan-Marco Montag (20th minute) put Germany ahead in a match India dominated in the second half with superb hockey.

Spirited display

Germany, fielding a second string side, made spirited attempts on the Indian post and came close to scoring when Michael Purps got the ball from Christian Wein in the midfield and proceeded to the Indian circle. With hardly a player to challenge him, Purps looked well set to give Germany the lead in the fifth minute, but much to the dismay of his team-mates, he stepped on the ball.

Soon after, goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza came to India's rescue when he showed superb reflexes to stop Eike Duckwitz's attempt at the post as India hung on grimly to survive the onslaught.

Germany was a lot more decisive and attacking in its approach as against a sloppy display by India, which had lost to Spain and Holland before this match.

It came as no surprise when Germany took the lead after yet another attack on the Indian post earned them a penalty corner. Montag's superb flick from the set-piece went to the right side of the goal at shoulder height, beating D'Souza.

India also had chances in the first-half, but they were few and far between and India found it extremely hard to raid the rival citadel.

On one such occasion, a minute before Germany took the lead, India made a good move when Vikram Pillay tested German goalkeeper Ulrich Bubolz. But the custodian was smart enough to thwart the danger.

India raised hopes of an equaliser when it earned a penalty corner a minute before the half time, but Sandeep Singh's drag flick was deflected out by the German defenders.

Rich dividends

India attacked on resumption and it paid off immediately as Michael scored to level the score.

Dilip Tirkey's long ball from the half line was trapped well by V. S. Vinay inside the German 25 yards and the forward dodged an onrushing Bubolz before passing it for Michael to sound the boards.

The Indians grew in confidence after erasing the deficit and intensified their attacks. After getting the ball near the 25 yards, Halappa moved swiftly past a couple of defenders before unleashing a powerful hit as India went up 2-1.

Vivek Gupta swelled the lead off Sandeep Singh's perfect pass a minute before close to ensure that India stayed in race for a top four finish.

Abbas equals record

It was a memorable outing for Dutch captain Jeroen Delmee, playing his 300th international, as his team overcame a resilient Pakistan in a thrilling contest.

Holland scored two goals in the last five minutes to seal the victory after the teams went to half time with the scores level at 1-1.

Ronald Brouwer (15th) gave Holland the lead before the host drew level through Sohail Abbas, who equalled Australian Mark Hager's Champions Trophy record of 32 goals. Taeke Taekema (39th), Karel Klaver (65th) and Delmee (69th) added to the tally.

Quemada nets two

Spain increased the tempo after the break to slam in all their goals. Pau Quemada (40th and 54th) scored a brace, while promising Santiago Freixa scored in the 63th minute.

New Zealand, which suffered its third straight defeat, scored through Darren Smith's penalty corner conversion in the 46th minute.

This was Spain's first win over New Zealand in Champions Trophy. New Zealand won one and drew the other previous meetings.

India plays Pakistan, Holland takes on Spain and Germany plays New Zealand on Wednesday.

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