The Hindu : Sport : Champions Challenge intriguingly poised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 26, 2007
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Sport

Sport

Champions Challenge intriguingly poised

S. Thyagarajan

Boom (Belgium): It is now a guessing game. After two sets of matches involving the six teams striving to make it to the elite group at Rotterdam next year, the scenario at the Mens hockey Champions Challenge here is in an interesting and somewhat an intriguing stage.

Any endeavour at this point to visualise the final outcome can be hazardous. Sport, by its very essence is an unpredictable pastime, especially when the participants match each other in record and stature.

The New Zealanders remain at the peak with six points without a goal against them. This is quite outstanding for the former Olympic champion, which probably boasts of the most professional and proficient outfit in contemporary hockey. The record in recent years speaks for itself.

But it is India that still corners the attention of everyone, including the FIH, which has offered it a special package under the Olympic Solidarity Programme. Often, the refrain of the officialdom is that the sport needs a strong and vibrant Indian team at the helm.

It is indeed a pity that India had to counter the elements more than anyone so far here. The foul weather, cold and blustery conditions, had constricted free flow of play on a heavy ground.

The loss against the Kiwis was very disappointing, especially the slip up in the final minutes. But the team recovered gallantly to inflict a 3-2 defeat on a no mean opponent — England — on Sunday. Not in recent years has India recorded a win against a European outfit in a competition.

Yet to settle down

The fact that the team is yet to settle down to a rhythm must be noted. Coach Joaquin Carvalho is ingenuous enough to weave a viable combination that is strong in every layer. The wing half-backs, Gurbaj and Prabhodh Tirkey, with Bimal as the pivot have exhibited a degree of consistency.

It was heartening to see the attack gaining the edge against England albeit inconsistently. Sardara Singh worked hard to keep the frontline on the move. Rajapal Singh and Roshan Minz carried a lot of burden, and it was the former who put India ahead with a lovely goal. Prabhjot Singh on the wing was seen as ineffective in the opening match but emerged as the hero against England, scoring that match-winner.

The experience and expertise of Dilip Tirkey have come in handy in tight situations, especially in taking free hits, and even converting penalty corners. Flicker Sandeep Singh is yet to regain his touch as the lethal hitter he used to be. Goalkeeper Adrian was smart in both the matches.

No pushover

Belgium, whom India plays on Tuesday, is no pushover. The way the team rose to the occasion to beat Argentina on Sunday showed it has the potential to upset anyone. Argentina and Japan with three points each — the same as India and Belgium — should settle scores on Tuesday to chart the course for Sunday’s final.

Virtually out of the reckoning at this stage with no point in the kitty, England can still inject an element of complexity to the calculations in the forthcoming matches. It is good to keep the tempo of the championship at a high level till the final.

Tuesdays matches: Japan v Argentina (6 p.m.); England v New Zealand (7-15 p.m.); India v Belgium (10.30 p.m.).