The Hindu : Sport : India has it easy; Wales beats the Netherlands

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Sunday, Dec 09, 2007
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Sport

India has it easy; Wales beats the Netherlands

S.R. Suryanarayan

— Photo: V. Ganesan

VETERAN IN ACTION: Alex Gough (right) of Wales came good against Laurens Jan Anjema of the Netherlands.

CHENNAI: It was smooth sailing for India as it expectedly chalked out a 3-0 win over Kenya to qualify for the knock-out phase as the second team from Pool G on Saturday in the ICL-World men’s team squash championship.

The Indians now run into Wales, an encounter which will truly be a test of fire. On paper, with Wales at eight, just two rungs above India in the seedings, the contest would be even. Wales has two veterans — Alex Gough and David Evans — the top two players of that country who do not play in the professional circuit anymore but to use Gough’s words ‘just enjoy playing the game’.

Tough customers

They can be tough customers as the Netherlands learnt. Wales won 2-1 to top Pool H and the winning touch began with Gough. Evans lost but by then Wales had completed its task and ensured it did not meet Pakistan next.

It was a tight match in the all-glass centre court. Points went neck and neck and for the best part it was a test of agility and sharp thinking. Gough was taken to five games by Laurens Jan Anjema but the Welsh veteran won.

That must have rubbed off on Gethro Bins who quickly dumped Tom Hoevenaars. Dylan Bennett brought the lone win for the Dutch (against Evans) but that mattered little as the Netherlands has a tough assignment next against Pakistan. From Sunday the knockout matches get underway. Following is the draw: Egypt v Hong Kong; India v Wales; Australia v USA; Canada v South Africa; Ireland v Malaysia; New Zealand v France; Netherlands v Pakistan; Germany v England.

The results: Pool A: Egypt bt Russia 3-0; Germany bt Finland 2-1; Pool B: England bt Hong Kong 3-0; Pool C: France bt Venezuela 3-0; U.S. bt Japan 3-0; Pool D: Australia bt New Zealand 3-0; Pool E: Malaysia bt Sri Lanka 3-0; South Africa bt Kuwait 2-1; Pool F: Canada bt Ireland; Pool G: Pakistan bt Bermuda 3-0; India bt Kenya 3-0 (Ritwik Bhattacharya bt Hardeep Reel 11-4, 13-11, 12-10; Gaurav Nandrajog bt Oho Kwach 11-5, 11-6, 11-9; Siddharth Suchde bt Hartaj Bains 11-0, 11-4, 11-3).

Pool H: Wales bt Netherlands 2-1; Sweden bt Chinese Taipei 3-0.

Pool standings (read under country, ties played, won, lost, matches won, lost, position):

Pool A: Egypt 3-3-0-9-0-1; Germany 3-2-1-5-4-2; Finland; 3-1-2-4-5-3; Russia 3-0-3-0-9-4. Pool B: England 2-2-0-6-0-1; Hong Kong 2-1-1-2-4-2; Spain 2-0-2-1-5-3. Pool C: France 3-3-0-9-0-1; USA 3-2-1-6-3-2; Japan 3-1-2-3-6-3; Venezuela 3-0-3-0-9-4. Pool D: Australia 2-2-0-6-0-1; New Zealand 2-1-1-3-3-2; Scotland 2-0-2-0-6-3. Pool E: Malaysia 3-3-0-8-1-1; South Africa 3-2-1-6-3-2; Kuwait 3-1-2-4-3-3; Sri Lanka 3-0-3-0-9-4. Pool F: Canada 2-2-0-5-1-1; Ireland 2-1-1-4-2-2; Austria 2-0-2-0-6-3. Pool G: Pakistan 3-3-0-9-0-1; India 3-2-1-6-3-2; Kenya 3-1-2-3-6-3; Bermuda 3-0-3-0-9-4. Pool H: Wales 3-3-08-1-1; Netherlands 3-2-1-7-2-2; Sweden 3-1-2-3-6-3; Chinese-Taipei 3-0-3-0-9-4.