The Hindu : Sport : India enters semifinals in style

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 22, 2006

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India enters semifinals in style

S. Thyagarajan

Kuala Lumpur: Is a podium finish, that chief coach V. Baskaran has been harping on, emerging as a reality? The poser popped up when India ensured a semifinal spot with a 3-0 victory over South Korea in Pool A of the Azlan Shah hockey tournament on Thursday.

Later, champion Australia, which needed a four-goal margin to take the top place in the pool, was held to a 2-2 draw by Malaysia and this made India the group topper. Australia made it to the last four on goal aggregate.

Blame it on the rain

The outcome in India's match surfaced under extraordinary circumstances as more than three hours separated the second and third goals.

A heavy downpour had disrupted the contest seven minutes before half-time when India was up 2-0. The ground was submerged in a sheet of water in several areas, raising doubts whether the encounter could be continued.

A discussion involving the Tournament Director, Alain Renaud, with the TV network staff and managers ended in an agreement to continue the contest and start the next encounter 3-1/2 hours behind the scheduled time of 5 p.m.

A winner in 1995, interestingly under Baskaran, India produced a pleasing performance that mirrored adeptness and shades of aesthetics.

Though every layer functioned commendably, tribute should go to the exemplary work by the defence, which denied the Koreans even a single penalty corner in the 70 minutes.

Tejbir Singh was the cynosure with his quick dribbles and body swerves leaving the Korean defenders in a web of uncertainty. Hari Prasad and Tushar Khandekar powered the attack from the wings, with sinuous runs down the flanks.

The mid-field strained every nerve to keep the Koreans at bay. Vikram Pillay, with Vinay on the right and Prabhodh Tirkey on the left, was conspicuous throughout. Deep defenders Kanwalpreet Singh, Dilip Tirkey and even the usually slow-moving Sandeep Singh held firm inside the circle, without slipping into errors.

Goalkeeper Adrian had only a couple of tough shots to counter, which he did with nonchalance.

Sandeep paved the way for the first goal with an impeccable long shot that needed only a deflection from Tejbir to put India ahead.

Within a few minutes India forced a penalty corner, which ended with Sandeep executing a delectable grounder to beat the Korean 'keeper, Ko Dong Sik, lock, stock and barrel.

Tushar Khandekar's goal stood out both for its conception and execution. Viren Resquinha, who made some brilliant interceptions, started the move with a push that was passed on by Gagan to Shivendra who burst through to assist in the finish to put the issue beyond doubt.

True to their reputation, the Koreans were gallant and endeavoured till the final second to restrict the margin. But on this day, the Indian defence was tight, firm and almost flawless.

The only discordant note for India was the yellow card for Tejbir Singh with only seven minutes left for the hooter.

The results:

Pool A: India 3 (Tejbir Singh, Sandeep Singh, Tushar Khandekar) bt South Korea 0. HT 2-0; Australia 2 (Brent Livermore, Grant Schubert) drew with Malaysia 2 (Abu Ismail, Megat Termizi). HT 1-1.

Pool A standings (read as Team, played, won, draw, loss, goals for, goals against, points): India 3, 2, 0, 1, 9, 6, 6; Australia 3,1, 1, 1, 6, 6, 4; S. Korea 3, 1, 1, 1, 5, 5, 4; Malaysia 3, 0, 2, 1, 6, 9, 2.

Thursday's matches: Pool B: Pakistan v Argentina (12. 30 p.m. IST); Netherlands v New Zealand (2.30 p.m.).

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