The Hindu : Sport : India goes down meekly to Malaysia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 30, 2005

Sport

Sport

India goes down meekly to Malaysia

S. Thyagarajan

Kuala Lumpur: India slipped into the bizarre zone of defeat in a pathetic manner as a consequence of ineffective attack and inept defence against Malaysia in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament here. The 1-4 reverse represents the worst defeat for it in a competition.

What the Malaysians were yearning for was some inspiration to lift their sagging morale after they missed the Olympics last year. While there has been signs of resurgence in recent months, the Indians provided them a perfect platform to regain their poise and assurance.

That India was not in full strength is unacceptable. What it did not exhibit was professionalism and application. The deep defence and mid-field managed to smother the Malaysian pressure almost throughout the first half which ended at 1-1. The Indian frontline was not up to the mark. There was over elaboration while in possession of the ball, and no strategy to translate the chances to goals. An unwanted hefty tackle by Inderjit on Logan Raj on the fringe of the 25-yard line presented Malaysia with a bonanza through a penalty corner. Kuhen Shanmuganathan, an expert in this area, converted without fuss. The lead was short-lived though, as Dilip Tirkey slotted the equaliser within minutes. Thereafter the Indians could do nothing constructive despite enjoying a good share in the exchanges.

The frontline showed neither the fervour nor the harmony to pierce through. There was hardly a combined thrust. Even the individualistic workouts were devoid of penetrative streak or that degree of proficiency to beat the rival defence. Prabhjot Singh sallied forth here and there without purpose. About the rest the less said the better. All of them, Deepak, Sandeep and Halappa have enough international exposure and experience.

In the mid-field, Ignace Tirkey and Bimal Lakra were skilful to carve out a few openings. But taken on the whole the half-line was anything but creative. Goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan failed to read the angles well even when a solitary attacker like Robert Alacantra, who gave Malaysia the lead midway in the second half, came surging in.

Splendid goal

That goal by Alacantra, splendid in conception and execution, lifted the Malaysian spirits. The moves that followed showed the vibrancy of it all, as Mohammad Amin slammed in a penalty corner. Then Kuhen Shanmuganathan capped a glorious evening for Malaysian hockey, pumping in a penalty corner. The home team now has four points, same as India. With matches against Pakistan, Korea and Australia remaining, one shudders to think what is in store for this hapless combination. Watching the agony of the Indians from the grandstand was the former captain, Dhanraj Pillay, who is here to formalise his assignment in the Malaysian League.

Unfazed by the reputation of the opponent, the South Africans put up an inspired performance despite the 0-2 verdict. With Saqlain serving a one-match suspension, the Pakistani mid-field was vulnerable to systematic attacks from the South Africans led by Emille Smith. They forced three penalty corners that were saved nicely by Salman Akbar.

The South African dominance was subdued only late in the first half when Shakeel Abbasi wove his way through a maze of sticks to slot the lead. And before half-time, Rehan Bhatt enlarged the margin.

But try as the attack did on resumption, it could not get the better of the South African defence, so commendably manned by Ken Forbes and Clyde Abrahans. High praise however should also go to goalkeeper Chris Hibbert for the acrobatic saves he brought off. Not all the attempts of Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt and Adnan Zakir could disturb his concentration. Small wonder the second half was blank.

This was Pakistan's third successive win in as many matches. With nine points the team is well on its way to the cup final on June 5. South Africa has one point.

Held goal-less in the first half, in which the Kiwis had more scoring chances, the defending champion, Australia, managed a 2-1 victory thanks to a penalty corner goal by Brent Livermore, followed by Grant Schubert. David Kosoof scored for New Zealand seconds before the hooter. Australia has seven points, New Zealand one.

The results:

Malaysia 4 (Kuhen Shanmuganathan 2, Robert Alcantara, Muhamad Amin Rahim) bt India 1 (Dilip Tirkey).

Pakistan 2 (Shakeel Abbasi, Rehan Butt) bt South Africa 0.

Australia 2 (Brent Livermore, Grant Schubert) bt New Zealand 1 (David Kosoof).

Monday's matches (IST): Korea v Malaysia (3-35 p.m.); New Zealand v South Africa (5-35 p.m.).

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