The Hindu : Sport : India's shortcomings to the fore again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 09, 2006

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India's shortcomings to the fore again

S. Thyagarajan

Monchengladbach: There is a sense of disbelief and disappointment among the sizeable number of Indian supporters here over the poor showing of the national team in the first two encounters. Several have taken pains to travel from all over Germany, a few from neighbouring Holland and Switzerland, and some have come even from Chennai.

Why the long-term preparation — termed scientific and pragmatic — has gone haywire in about 140 minutes of play so far needs a deeper analysis. All the shortcomings that chief coach Baskaran had promised to eliminate during the training and video sessions obviously remain.

The Indians suffered from lack of harmony and fluency. The frontline worked in fits and starts, largely due to the midfield which was anything but creative. Wingbacks Vinay and Prabodh did work hard but support from the middle was inadequate. The trio of Viren, Ignace and Vikram looked mediocre. Except Halappa, Shivendra and Khandekar, the rest have been below par.

India's goal should be to finish in the top six but that looks a tall order.

Full of drama

On Friday, the stature of the Kiwis as an emerging force was clear during their encounter with the four-time World Cup champion Pakistan in Pool A. The high voltage match ended in a 4-4 draw.

It was Gareth Brooks who orchestrated the Kiwi moves, sending waves of confusion in the rival defence. However, it was Pakistan which went ahead when Shea McCaleese obstructed Rehan Butt. Shakeel Abbasi scored from the resultant stroke.

Minutes later, New Zealand restored parity and that off a stroke when Ishan Ullah came in the way of a penalty corner drive by Hayden Shaw. Dean Couzins did the rest.

New Zealand went up when Blair Hopping delectably deflected a penalty corner hit by Shaw. Before half-time, Zubair levelled after a messed up penalty corner push by Pakistan.

After resumption, another stroke ended with Dean Couzins making it 3-2 for New Zealand, but Rehan produced a stunning solo effort to help his team draw level. The Kiwis forced another penalty corner and Shaw put them in front with an immaculate shot. However, Zubair Muhammad ensured a draw for Pakistan.

Video assistance

Late on Thursday, Taeke Takema and Jan-Geert Derikx scored once each for the Netherlands against South Africa in a keenly contested Pool B match.

For the first time in the tournament, assistance from the video umpire was taken to decide Netherlands' second goal. India's Satinder Kumar sought the decision when there was a doubt whether Derikx's penalty corner shot was taken inside or outside the circle. The decision went in favour of the Dutch.

Second win

A snap goal by Hoon Sung Yoon late in the second half gave Korea its second successive win in Pool B against England.

After a barren first half, we had the second instance of video umpire coming into play. Umpire Sumesh Putra referred a goal-scoring decision when You Hyo Sik jumped for joy after a free hit by Lee Nam Yong went in. The video showed clearly that Sik had not touched the ball. Promptly, the goal was disallowed.

The results: New Zealand 4 (Dean Couzins 2, Hayden Shaw 2) drew with Pakistan 4 (Shakeel Abbasi, Zubair Muhammad 2, Rehan Butt); Korea 1 ( Hoon Sung Yoon) beat England 0.

Saturday's matches: India v South Africa (4.30 p.m.); Germany v Netherlands (6.45 p.m.); NZ v Japan (9 p.m.); Argentina v Australia (11 p.m., IST).

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