The Hindu : Sport : Surinder Kaur puts India in final

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 24, 2006

Sport

Sport

Surinder Kaur puts India in final

S. Thyagarajan

Resilient Australia overcomes England's stiff challenge in semifinals

PHOTO: AP

ON COURSE FOR AN ENCORE: Goalkeeper Helen Innocent and other members of the Indian women's hockey team acknowledge the crowd's cheers after the defending champion entered the final.

Melbourne : In a pulsating contest that showcased to a packed house the essence and elegance of women's hockey, defending champion India, riding on a splendid goal by Surinder Kaur about seven minutes before the hooter against New Zealand, moved into the final on Thursday. India will meet Australia, which earlier won against England 3-0, in Saturday's summit clash.

Impressive as the performance was, it was a defence-dominated encounter in which both the goalkeepers made a lasting impression. But it was the efficiency and enterprise of Helen Innocent that eventually prevailed as every Kiwi raid was repulsed with nonchalance.

For the major part of the first half, the Kiwis found gaps in the Indian defence despite the stiff resistance put up by Rajwinder Kaur.

Charlottee Harrison and Kayla Sharland caused trouble in the Indian zone and three penalty corners heightened the tension. Helen stopped Honor Dillon and Krystal Forgossen's crafty attempts, while Sharland's attempt was just off the mark.

Struggling frontline

While the Indian midfield was steady, the frontline struggled to find its rhythm. Jasjeet Handa was eager like a beaver but the attack, despite the enthusiasm of Mamta Kharb, Saba Anjum and Jyothi Kullu, failed to work in unison.

Till midway into the second half, it looked as though the Kiwis were enjoying the upper hand. Only when India forced its first penalty corner in the 20th minute did one begin to notice a palpable vitality in the movements.

The Kiwi goalkeeper had to summon all her skills to thwart India from gaining the upper-hand. A combined move by Sanggai and Mamta almost crystallised into a goal but Beth Jurgeleit stood in the way. A Surinder Kaur attempt was also padded away by Jurgeleit.

As the excitement mounted, India pressed harder for the match-winner. A quick clearance by Subadhra Pradhan caused a moment of tension. Saba produced a stunner of a free hit and all that Surinder had to do was to guide the ball into the net to leave Jurgeleit bewildered.

No praise will be too high for the determination that the Indians displayed in the match and the place in the final is an appropriate reward for their work.

Sheer resilience more than any pronounced proficiency saw the Manchester bronze medallist Australia overcome England's stiff challenge in the other semifinal.

Though the margin looks absolutely convincing, there were periods when England dominated with better cohesion. In fact, England enjoyed better territorial advantage in the first half.

Transforming the trend

However, Kate Hollywood transformed the trend. A quick lunge by Madonna Blyth culminated in a skirmish and Kate made the best of the bargain in the confusion.

Palpably buoyed, the Australians displayed a noticeable measure of vigour on resumption. A direct penalty corner by Emily Halliday enlarged the margin and Suzie Faulkner tapped in a penalty corner shot by Angela Skirving, in the final minutes, to complete the tally.

England and New Zealand will battle it out for the bronze medal.

Tight defence-work in the second half enabled Malaysia restrict Scotland only to a 3-0 lead and take the sixth place. This was the best finish for the Malaysians and the credit of getting a decent rating should go to former Indian coach, C.R. Kumar, now with the team for three years.

The results:

Semifinals: Australia 3 (Kate Hollywood, Emily Halliday, Suzie Faulkner) bt England 0; India 1 (Surinder Kaur) bt New Zealand 0.

5-6 places: Scotland 3 bt Malaysia 0.

7-8 places: South Africa 5 bt Canada 2.

9-10 places: Barbados 4 bt Nigeria 1.

Friday's matches: Men: 9-10 places: Canada v Trinidad and Tobago (3 a.m. IST), 1st semifinal: Australia v Malaysia (5.30 a.m.), 5-6: India v New Zealand (8 a.m.), 2nd semifinal: Pakistan v England (noon); 7-8: South Africa v Scotland (2.30 p.m.).