STAR OF THE DAY: Sandeep Singh, whose brace helped India beat Pakistan, was adjudged the Player of the Match. — Photo: Vino John

Chennai: Competitive hockey's enduring romance, an India-Pakistan tie, came alive in all its incandescence as Sandeep Singh struck two superb goals off penalty corners to notch up a memorable victory in the Champions Trophy on Sunday. That India won 3-2, and the fact that last two goals surfaced five minutes within the hooter conveys what a pulsating contest it turned out to be at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.

Never in recent times has India produced such a stunning display of attacking and aesthetic hockey with every department clicking to the hilt. It would be invidious to pick who among the Indians shone on this glorious night, but should one be tempted to do so the vote is for Sandeep Singh, whose brace eventually tilted the scales. Both the penalty corners in the final minutes were spectacular evoking spontaneous cheers all round.

Eye-catching

On the whole, it was a satisfying show notwithstanding the wasted chances that were quite a handful. The mid-field was outstanding for the work executed by Ignace Tirkey, whose interceptions were eye-catching, Viren Resquinha, who worked like a beaver in the role of a pivot, and wing half Vinay, the wall against the quick moving Pakistani winger, Rehan Bhat.

In the deep defence, both Kanwalpreet Singh and Harpal Singh were steady, with the former conspicuous for long hits. Tushar Khandekar, the substitute for Prabhjot Singh, proved his competence in no uncertain terms hoisting a goal after Pakistan had scored two and looking well set to take full points.

Rajpal Singh and Halappa contributed immensely to the vibrancy of the attack which forced as many as eight penalty corners, five in the first. If only Gagan had been a little more responsive, the frontline could have succeeded earlier in the first session itself.

Pakistan was inexplicably on a low key, allowing the Indian attack gain ascendancy frequently. The deep defence was shaky, and barring skipper Saqlain, none of the mid-fielders was praiseworthy. This inconsistency cost the attack dear as only Shakeel Abbasi troubled the Indians marginally.

A stunner

Pakistan's goal midway through the second half was very much against the run of play. Muhammad Imran produced a stunner to beat Adrian D'Souza and within minutes Tariq Aziz tapped in an Abbasi cross as the Indian defence stood perplexed by the pace of the Pakistani attack. Adrian was pulled out and Chetri came in as goal-keeper and effected a lovely save. But thereafter it was Sandeep's symphony.

This was India's fifth win in the Champions Trophy out of the 14 matches played. Pakistan has won nine times. Interestingly, there are no drawn matches.

India, which lost to Spain on Saturday, has three points while Pakistan has none from two matches.

Australia's second win

Synthesising the elements of speed with skill, and lacing it with a good measure of fortitude Australia swayed the scales against the defending Spain in an absorbing contest. The way the Aussies recovered from a 1-2 deficit at half-time, after conceding the early lead, was the script of this contest which underlined the second win for the Aussies in as many matches.

It turned out to be a combat between the Aussie athleticism and the Spanish acumen for tactical manoeuvres. If the Aussie frontline profited by the quick sallies of Jaime Dwyer and Mike McCann, the Spanish attack mirrored the mode and methods of the ubiquitous Santi Friexa, who netted both the goals. A combined thrust featuring Dwyer and McCann was thwarted by goal-keeper Stephen Mowlan, who had a splendid match overall, but the rebound was seized brilliantly by Travis Brookes.

Two goals by Friexa, a penalty corner and then a breathtaking solo endeavour sent the Spanish spirit soaring at half-time. The Aussies were relentless and crafted their openings with great diligence.

They were helped a great deal by a stroke converted by Brent Livermore after McCann was stick-checked by Ribas. On level, Australia surged ahead with a superb flick in by Luke Doerner off a penalty corner.

Before the hooter came another from McCann that sealed the fate of the encounter.

This was Australia's 11th win against Spain in 15 encounters in the Champions Trophy, with three drawn, and one defeat.

Netherlands held

Leading 2-0 till midway in the second-half, the Netherlands dropped two points when forced to a draw by Germany in the third match of the day.

Roderick Weusthof was the star for the Dutch, netting both the goals. In a splendid recovery, Germany struck through Christopher Zeller who followed it by serving a neat pass to Matthias Witthaus to restore parity. The Netherlands has four points from two matches.

Monday is a rest day.

The results:

Australia 4 (Travis Brookes, Brent Livermore, Mike McCann 2) bt Spain 2 (Santi Friexa 2): HT: 1-2. Player of the match: Santi Friexa.

India 3 (Tushar Khandekar, Sandeep Singh 2) beat Pakistan 2 ( Muhamad Imran, Tariq Aziz) HT 0-0. Player of the match: Sandeep Singh.

Netherlands 2 (Roderick Weusthof 2) drew with Germany 2 (Christopher Zeller, Matthias Witthaus). HT 1-0. Player of the match: Christopher Zeller.

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