India overwhelms Scotland

MILTON KEYNES, JULY 9. After a sluggish start and a 2-2 draw with France on Saturday, India struck the rhythm to overwhelm Scotland 4-2 to make the final of the four-nation Castrol international hockey festival here on Sunday. India will take on Japan on Tuesday for the Castrol Trophy.

Japan leads the table with six points from two victories while India is second with four points from one win and a draw.

Profiting from an early field goal by Gagan Ajit Singh, India dominated throughout and minutes before half-time, it went further up when Prabhjot Singh struck. The team led 2-0 at half- time.

When Richard Forseyth hit the target from a penalty corner in the 58th minute, it looked as though Scotland would rally, and even force a draw. But such a line of thinking was spiked immediately when skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon slotted a splendid goal and within a minute (62nd) his brother, Daljit Singh Dhillon raised the margin to 4-1. Forseyth came up with a splendid deflection in the last minute, but that could not prevent India from winning.

Earlier, Japan prevailed over France by the odd goal in three. Stung by an early goal by Gerome Branquart, Japan hit back with two goals by K. Asai in the 17th and 39th minute. F. Soyez with a penalty corner goal in the 61st minute almost forced a draw but Yamabori ensured victory for Japan.

On Saturday, Baljit Singh Saini and Baljit Singh Dhillon (penalty stroke) scored for India, while Soyez, with perfect penalty corner hits in the 20th and 67th minute played a prominent role in France's sharing of points with the formidable Indians.

In the other match, Japan beat Scotland, A. Takahira accounting for two, preceded by the penalty stroke by Akihiko Hirata. P. Webster netted two - in the seventh and 27th - for Scotland.

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