The Hindu : Sport : High-voltage contests in the offing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 08, 2005

Sport

Sport

High-voltage contests in the offing

S. Thyagarajan

Rotterdam: As the junior hockey World Cup enters the final phase this week-end there is an inescapable sense of deja vu. The inspiring panorama of youth talent across the globe provided an insight into the enlarging base. But there is a filament of concern over stagnation in quality, if not deterioration altogether in the style and systems. This perhaps underlined the disconcerting inconsistency and unpredictability of form.

While one section views such vagaries as an integral part of sport that enhances the enchanting range of it, a stalwart coach like Paul Lissek of Germany feels there is very little of improvisation and ingenuity. He admits that less powerful nations like Egypt and Malaysia have acquired more than the traditionally strong teams in the top power alignment. Imagine a scenario where the four-time title winner, Germany, is hovering for a spot between 5-8.

Complexities such as these prohibit a detailed analysis from this angle now, as the teams prepare for the last set of high voltage competition that reaches the climax on Sunday. India's only defeat in six matches — against Spain by 0-4 — had almost cost the spot till the team overcame Korea, which was unbeaten up to that point. Rarely have we seen India coming good in a must-win situation, and on that day, the team showed the gumption to emerge a winner.

Immaculate show

Set to match wits with Australia, winner of the trophy in 1997, tomorrow, the Indians know only an immaculate performance can see them through. By no stretch of imagination has the Aussie showing here can be portrayed as flawless. The defeat against Argentina and the draw with Malaysia exposed that there exists a chink in Australia's armour. Barring Colin Hennessey, one of the leading scorers, the striking force is not as fierce or fluent as it was presumed to be.

Korea falters

It is a pity that Korea should falter at the last hurdle after a row of four victories, giving Spain another lease of life. The 2-4 defeat against the host, the Netherlands in the late match last night, was a disaster to Koren hopes. Despite the palpable dip in the quality of showing as the tournament progressed Argentina picked up the threads to beat Australia after sharing points with Pakistan, which almost faced the humiliation of figuring in the 9-12 section until the goal after regulation time signalled a 2-1 victory over Malaysia. Nothing seemed to go have gone right for Pakistan in this competition.

India struggles

On Wednesday, India made it to the semifinals after a good deal of struggle against England.

The route to the last four stage was somewhat complex in that India tied with Spain, which had beaten Egypt 2-1 earlier, on every count except in goal-aggregate and that made the outcome in favour of India.

Both India and Spain won four of the five matches in Pool E, lost one and tallied 12 points at the end of the programme. The goal difference too was same (+5). India sailed through by using the third option of goal aggregate.

Lucky winner

Anyone who witnessed the needle match would pronounce India as a lucky winner because, judged by the trend of play, England was far more methodical and efficient. Till the final minute, a draw looked probable.

India's solitary goal came from Sandeep Singh's immaculate penalty corner conversion late in the first half. To be fair, it must be emphasised that England never gave up and constantly pressurised the defence. Harper Adamson, from the right, really harassed the defence.

Wednesday's results:

India 1 (Sandeep Singh) bt England 0.

Spain 2 (Migual Delas, Jorge Rodriguez) bt Egypt 1 (Mahymoud Elbadry).

Points Table (P, W, D, L, GF, GA, Pts):

Pool E: India 5, 4, 0, 1, 12, 7, 12; Spain 5, 4, 0, 1, 10, 5, 12; Korea 5, 3, 0, 2, 14, 13, 9; Netherlands 5, 3, 0, 2, 15, 8, 9; England 5, 0, 1, 4, 6, 14, 1; Egypt 5, 0, 1, 4, 6, 16, 1.

Pool F: Argentina 5, 3, 2, 0, 8, 4, 11; Australia 5, 3, 1, 1, 21, 10, 10; Germany 5, 3, 0, 2, 16, 17, 9; Pakistan 5, 2, 1, 2, 7, 8, 7; Malaysia 5, 1, 1, 3, 13, 14, 4; Belgium 5, 0, 1, 4, 6, 18, 1.

Friday's matches (IST): Germany v Korea (3.30 p.m.); Malaysia v Egypt (4.30 p.m.); Netherlands v Pakistan (6 p.m.); England v Belgium (7 p.m.); Semifinals: Argentina v Spain (8.30 p.m.); India v Australia (11 p.m.).

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