Opening match ends in stalemate

By S. Thyagarajan

Bangladesh 1 -- Japan 1

DHAKA, MARCH 10. An indecisive verdict is no good advertisement to the start of anything, least of all to an international competition. When judged within the parameters of approach, adeptness and aggression, neither Bangladesh nor Japan deserved a negative result in the opening encounter of the Prime Minister's Gold Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday. That Japan produced the equaliser two minutes from the hooter added an element of excitement to the finish in the Pool A match.

There was a palpable emphasis on athleticism, laced with an element of brusque interceptions and tackles. In attempting to conquer each other by sheer speed, with only a modicum of skills or body dodges, there were phases which offered nothing very pleasant to the beholder.

Bangladesh definitely showed some flourishes of individual proficiency in the movements of the veteran Rafiquel Islam, and in the wing play by Shahibudllah Khokan. The assurance with which goal-keeper Rasal Khan performed his work was another highlight of Bangladesh's display.

Japan looked in tearing hurry to hit the target but showed no method in accomplishing it. The individual thrusts of Takayikho Yamahori with Kenji Asai on the wing gave some anxious moments to the rival defence but they were not sharp enough to upset an alert Rasal.

All that Japan managed to fork up were penalty corners in quick succession. There were as many as ten, seven of them coming in the second half. In the early minutes, Yamahori drove out a neat cross from Kazayuki Ozawa while midway through Kenji Asai failed to connect a lovely cross from Tobita.

Once the rhythm was set, Bangladesh probed the rival zone with confidence. Rafiquel Islam darted in now and then causing a flutter. If only Moududur Rehman had been successful with his reverse flick off a through pass from Rafiquel, then Bangladesh would have crossed the first half with a lead in favour.

Shortly after the break, it was Japan that wrested the initiative. Three penalty corners in a row heightened tension in the Bangladesh circle. A fierce shot by Tobita was stopped with a touch of nonchalance by Rasel, who then stopped the rebounder from Tobita.

Specks of rough play reared up at this point but the umpires, David Gentles of Australia and Colin Hutchinson of Ireland would have none of it. In fact, both were extremely strict with delays in penalty corners and denied at least two on that count for the Japanese.

Bangladesh struck midway through the second half from the fifth corner and the second of the session. Isha Miah faked a shot and allowed the ball to trickle to Mahabubul Ahsan whose thundering sweep left goal-keeper Shimizu Shigehide blinking at the angle and pace of the drive.

The scorer ran down the ground in glee, in soccer style, even as the stands erupted into spontaneous cheers. With only seven minutes left, visions of a Bangladesh win loomed large. As the supporters waited with bated breath for the final whistle, came a miss from Shamim Raza whose drive missed the mark.

Fighting against time and the regrouping defence, Japan made a desperate onslaught and earned a penalty corner. This time Yamahori changed the pace and pushed the ball along the carpet. Rasel's reaction was not quick and the ball rolled over the goal- line.

Stepping up pressure, Japan earned one more penalty corner causing tension all round. In fact, it was taken after the regulation time but Bangladesh survived the crisis.

Mr. A.M.S. Kibria, Minister for Finance, was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.

Sunday's matches: China v Pakistan (9-30 a.m. IST); India v Scotland (1-30 p.m.); Malaysia v Egypt (3-30 p.m.)

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