The Hindu : Sport : Pakistan holds Spain in a tense match

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 11, 2006
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Pakistan holds Spain in a tense match

S. Thyagarajan

Germany surmounts the challenge of England

Monchengladbach: Tinged with controversies and arguments, Pakistan fought tooth and nail to recover from a 1-2 deficit till midway in the second half to snatch a point in an eventful Pool `A' tie here on Sunday. The first session ended 1-1.

The key encounter contained all the ingredients of a tough tussle. Neither gave anything away. If the Spaniards enjoyed a marginal advantage in exchanges, the Pakistanis compensated by their flair and fluent bursts headed by Zubair Muhammad.

Pakistan took the lead through a splendid effort by Rehan Butt and a lovely work out by Shakeel Abbasi. Only late in the half did Santi Friexa manage the equaliser with a blinding backhander.

Drama

There was a touch of drama when umpire Elhers, after consulting his colleague Putra, awarded a stroke for Spain. The players engaged in heated arguments and umpires began to lose control.

A penalty corner shot by Santi was stopped by Salam Akbar, but it prompted a skirmish. Even as Raman Alagre flicked the rebound, the ball hit Ghazanfar Ali. While Spain demanded a stroke, the Pakistanis protested.

However, the drama ended with Pol Amat converting. Undaunted by rulings that were going against, Pakistan pressed hard and forced the only penalty corner which Sohail struck in his inimitable style.

Tension

Tension escalated in the final minutes when Spain forced two penalty corners amidst the yellow card suspension for David Alagre. But the Pakistani defence stood firm.

Neither Shahnaz nor Hendriks was ready to comment on the quality of umpiring. Hendriks requested the FIH authorities to take a quick decision on the number of support staff at the bench. He also urged the FIH to notice the risk undertaken by defenders while rushing out to stop the penalty corner hitter.

Before another sell out holiday crowd, Germany, the defending champion, put out a formidable challenge from England by the odd goal in three in Pool B.

With seven points in three matches, Germany's progress is heart-warming for the crowd. England has three points. But it has lost two matches to Korea and Germany.

Fast-paced match

It was a fast-paced match with the Germans, led admirably again by Christoph Zeller. England also made several dangerous moves, stretching the German defence. However, a thundering penalty corner goal by Christoph Zeller mirrored the mood of the Germans.

Nearing half-time, England produced the equaliser when goal-keeper Bubolz obstructed Matt Daly, resulting a stroke. Simon Mantell did the rest.

Shortly after the break another sally by Christoph Zeller ended with Scott Gordon coming in the way. Zeller made no mistake.

The results: Spain 2 (Santi Friexa, Pol Amat) drew with Pakistan 2 (Rehan Butt, Sohail Abbas); Germany 2 (Christoph Zeller 2) bt England 1 (Simon Mantell).

Monday's matches: Spain v New Zealand (5-30 p.m.); India v South Korea (7-30 p.m.); Argentina v Pakistan (9-30 p.m.); Netherlands v England (11-30 p.m.).

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