The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : A consolation win for India at last

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Sunday, Aug 21, 2005

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A consolation win for India at last

S. Thyagarajan

AMSTERDAM: : At last the fragrance of victory wafted across for India. A seventh place in the eight-nation hockey tournament. Yet, in the circumstances in which it was fashioned was heartening enough. The team did go through the final minute gasps when England forced three penalty corners in a minute — the last two after the regulation time — and what more reduced the margin, accentuating tension all round.

What needs to be commended without any reservation is the bold decision to give the second goal-keeper, Bharat Chettri, a chance. And it is no exaggeration to say that a large chunk of credit for the result should go for the alacrity and athleticism he brought to keep the scoreboard clean.

For the major part in the first, England dominated and forced three penalty corners. Chettri padded a beautiful deflection from Rob Moore, and then baulked a penalty corner shot from James Mantell. Another try by Moore followed one by Matt Daly but did nothing to disturb the equanimity of Chettri.

With Viren Resquinha and Bimal Lakra working hard in the mid-field, the frontline showed a semblance of cohesion. Deepak made his presence felt as did Gagan who scored at last, with a wristy deflection off a penalty corner hit by Dilip Tirkey late in the first half.

Encouraged by the turn of events and profiting from the tiring English attack which lost the momentum seen in the first half, India held the advantage in the rival area. Still there were quite a few errors in stopping the overhead passes.

Individually, Arjun Halappa worked hard giving a few crisp passes. The second goal that India obtained midway in the second half was probably the best effort seen from the team.

A clearance by Kanwalpreet Singh was picked up by Harpal Singh whose long cross was diverted by Gagan. On the run Deepak Thakur, who had missed a sitter in the first half, atoned for that with a thundering backhander that left goal-keeper Ebsworth stranded.

In the last five minutes, the Indians palpably relaxed allowing pressure to build up. And paid a heavy price when Jaswinder Singh fumbled on the fringe of the circle to concede a penalty corner.

James Tindell scored with 57 seconds remaining. As the second ticked away, India conceded another penalty corner heightening tension but managed to stave off the lurking danger.

Pakistan crushes Germany

On a rainy Friday afternoon, Pakistan smashed the Spanish dream of entering the final and booked its place in Sunday's summit clash. That Pakistan won 5-0 against Germany explains the nature of the contest.

Pakistan required a 3-0 margin to push Spain to the second spot in pool A. They finished with seven points, but Pakistan, with a plus four goal difference, moved to the top. It will take on Australia in the final.

The Netherlands picked up the fifth spot with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Germany, the highlight of which was the three penalty corner goals by Taeke Takema.

With a performance that projected the proficiency level to a new trajectory in athleticism, the Aussies outplayed and out-manoeuvred the Netherlands on Friday night. The results: 7-8: India 2 (Gagan, Deepak Thakur) beat England 1 (James Tindell); Netherlands 5 (Taeke Takema 3, Roderick Weusthof, Floris Evers) beat Germany 0 HT 1-0.

Friday's results: Pakistan 5 (Mudassar Khan, Rehan Bhatt - 2, Shabbir Hussain, Saqlain) bt Germany 0.

Australia 4 (Grant Schubert 2, Luke Doerner, Travis Brooks) beat Netherlands 1 (Taeke Takema) HT. 1-0.

Sunday's matches: (3-4): Spain v South Korea (4 p.m.); Final: Australia v Pakistan (6 p.m.).

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