The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : China stuns India

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Wednesday, Dec 06, 2006
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China stuns India

S. Thyagarajan

— Photo: AFP

GOALMOUTH MELEE: India's Surinder Kaur is blocked by Chinese players Ma Yibo, Zhou Wanfeng and goalkeeper Zhang Yinmeng.

DOHA: China conquered India by the odd goal in five in Pool B of men's hockey competition here on Tuesday. It was a stunner of a result for the spectators and the Chinese players who gave nothing away and fought till the final minute relished the outcome with uninhibited joy. This was China's first win against India, which had won all the previous nine encounters, including the three in the Asiad.

Difficult zone

The outcome pushes India into a difficult zone, raising grave apprehensions of taking even a medal, while China has definitely strengthened its chances gleaning six points from two matches.

Yubo Na on the right wing sallied brilliantly to serve a pass that was finished with a reverse flick by Liang Hu. Minutes later came another stunner from an identical move by Na and this time it was Liu Xiantang who provided the finishing touches giving no scope for Bharat Chhetri at the goal.

The Indians failed to convert four penalty corners, although the fall out of the fourth ended in a goal by Rajpal Singh. Goal-keeper Su Riefang palmed Raghunath's flick and the rolled across. Halappa had a withering drive that was also stopped but Vinay's cross was eventually deflected into by Rajpal Singh.

The Indians continued to dominate in the second half. While the Indians struggled to penetrate the defence, China forced its first penalty corner and converted it through Li Song.

India rallied when Raghunath produced a splendid drag flick to score the second goal.

The results: Men: Pool B: China 3 (Liang Hu, Liu Xiantang, Li Song) bt India 2 (Rajpal Singh, Raghunath); South Korea 9 bt Bangladesh 1.

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