India gets the better of Canada

Malaysia 4 New Zealand 2

India 3 Canada 2

Korea 2 Germany 0

By S.Thyagarajan

KUALA LUMPUR, FEB. 19. India crossed the Rubicon, which is the defeat syndrome, profiting from two spectacular goals by Dhanraj Pillay and an equally exquisite one from Deepak Thakur for full points against Canada in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament at Bukit Jalil. The relief among the Indian supporters was palpable, as their favourite outfit not only won but put in a quality show against a no mean opponent.

Obviously, a critical review had been made last night over the causes that prompted failure in the two earlier matches. Some sweeping changes were effected. Goal-keeper Prasad replaced Jude Menezes. Senthil substituted Samir Dad, who was dropped along with Baljit Singh Saini from the 18. Importantly, Deepak Thakur got a full match than the bits and pieces roles he had in the earlier matches. The transformation in attack and mid-field was apparent. So was goal-keeping with Prasad coming up with some gallant saves.

The Canadians, renowned now for their set play with the dangerous Peter Milkovich hovering around the circle, managed only a solitary penalty corner goal out of the seven they earned. Even this came in for dispute as the Indians claimed Ron Roberts was outside the striking circle while taking the shot. Umpire Marcello Servetto stood his ground, although for a moment his gestures suggested he was in two minds.

What lies ahead of the Indians is easy to visualise. The performance level should go notches high in the remaining three games. The fragrance of victory is undoubtedly sweet, but inadequacy in some areas persist. The frontline line is still individualistic. Mukesh Kumar and Baljit Singh Dhillon are not matching the efficiency of Dhanraj. Heartening however, is the way Deepak Thakur and Jagan Senthil shaped in the match.

In the mid-field Riaz was conspicuous as were Ramandeep and Thirumal. But gaps in the deep defence showed out. Dilip Tirkey's reluctance to release the ball from tight situations inside the circle gave scope for Canada to force a penalty and reduce the lead in the second half.

After hitting the target as early as in the fifth minute through Rob Short, the Canadians, somewhat uncharacteristically, were flippant with their shots. True, Prasad offered the pads for a few, but several attempts, even from Peter Milkovich and Andrew Griffiths, were inaccurate. As always the Canadian mid-field worked with purpose. Prominent was Bindi Khuller.

Canada's early lead was evanescent. Dhanraj produced a stunner of a shot after picking a pass from Dhillon. Immediately, Dhanraj teamed with Mukesh for a combined attack, but the latter's flick sailed over. An yellow for Dhillon for a stick check on Ken Pereira sapped the fervour till Deepak Thakur burst in a solo run to finish with a blinding backhander, leaving goal- keeper Mike Mahoot helpless.

The lead enlarged to 3-1 immediately after half-time, Dhanraj again going on a classic run along with Jagan Senthil. It was then the turn of Senthil to take the yellow from the Malaysian umpire, Surjit Singh for an infringement which merited only a warning. Another breakaway run by Dhanraj put Thirumal in front of the struggling goal-keeper but his push was too feeble.

Coach Baskaran gave full credit to the forwards for converting half chances into goal. Manager Gurubux Singh was happy that the team could play this well after a hard game on Friday. The Canadian coach, Virjee agreed that his team played better but frittered away far too many openings.

Significant win for Malaysia

Riding the crest of a success wave, Malaysia carved out a significant victory. But the margin masks the fortitude with which the Kiwis fought the issue. New Zealand cut the leeway a minute before the hooter from a brilliant shot by Creg Russ. Actually, there were moments when the Kiwis posed serious threat. The assumption that the match was proceeding towards a draw was not misplaced. The fluent runs by Umesh Parag and Philip Burrows caused transparent discomfort to the Malaysian defence, which conceded as many as five penalty corners, four in the second half. Ryan Archibald in the mid-field worked in concert with Brett Leaver keeping the flow at a lively pace.

The first goal the Kiwis scored was a beauty, which underscored the essence of the switch in a penalty corner. A flick by Mitesh Patel was completed with a swift deflection by Ryan Archibald. This confirmed the efficacy of hard homework put in. The Kiwis lost their rhythm somewhere midway in the second half after reducing the lead, needlessly arguing with the German umpire, Siebrecht, over a penalty corner award. Craig Reynolds even had an yellow card whipped out against him.

Exemplary opportunism embellished Malaysia's display. Each of the four goals underlined this. A quick tap by Chairil Anwar off a free hit by Kuhen Shanmuganathan caught the seasoned Scott Anderson off guard.

And not long after Anwar hit almost in a similar fashion. After this ten minute blitz, the Malaysians were under stress despite the hard work by defence, headed by Kuhen and Mainderjit Singh. The third goal by Rehman shortly after reduced a modicum of pressure.

As though to celebrate this Nor Saiful broke through in a splendid move and Suhail Ibrahim capped it with a delectable deflection.

With nine points from three matches, Malaysia is well on line for a final place provided the ball rolls in the same way in the next few days. New Zealand has one point from three matches.

In a fierce contest under floodlights, the Koreans overcame the stiff resistance of the Germans. Song Seong Tae and Kang Keong Wook struck for the Koreans in the first half.

Sunday's matches: New Zealand v Pakistan (3-35 p.m.IST), Germany v Canada (5-35 p.m.).

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