The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Tamil Nadu loses out in shootout

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Tamil Nadu loses out in shootout

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Tamil Nadu played thrilling hockey for 70 minutes in the 44th Bombay Gold Cup hockey at the Mahindra Stadium here on Tuesday, but was beaten in the penalty shootout after it ended regulation time at level pegging against Bombay Customs in an engaging duel. The visitor faltered thrice to hand a 5-2 (2-2 regulation time) victory to the local team and make it a memorable outing for the local goalkeeper Lincoln Taites.

Under immense pressure after allowing its opponent to level scores four minutes from time the Tamil Nadu trio of Muthuselvan, Aswin and Muthu Kumaran were found wanting. Muthuselvan directed the ball wide, Aswin at the pad while Muthu Kumran manage to just roll the ball. While the Bombay boys heaved a sigh of relief Tamil Nadu's weary set walked back knowing that they were knocked out of the tournament.

Excellent understanding

The Gold Cup had to wait for the 12th match, the last scheduled on the third day, to keep the faithful riveted right through the two halves. Fast on their heels, adept in trapping and stealing, the Tamil Nadu players gave a terrific demonstration of sprightly hockey and showed excellent understanding.

It was the home team, however, that found the mark first, when the persevering Savio Nayak deflected the ball in off a Nilesh Negi pass from top of the arc. Tamil Nadu struck twice through V. Raja and Mohd. Mawaz in the first 10 minutes after resumption. The visitor appeared to be in control and ready to settle for a 2-1 finish when Nayak latching on to a through ball found the mark for the second time.

Nawaz had been substituted and Alwyn Alexander and Nayak made the most of it in the 66th minute after which Hemant Gethe, Rahul Singh and Stanley Fernandez outwitted M.G. Suresh under the bar. Radhakrishnan and Sivabalan scored for the loser from the spot.

The results (second round): Bombay Customs bt Tamil Nadu XI 5-2 (2-2), Sikh Regiment Centre (Rampur) bt Maharashtra XI 3-1, Hockey Bandra bt Southern Railway 3-0, Army XI, Bangalore, bt Northern Railway 2-0.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail