By S. Thyagarajan

EDINBURGH, JULY 25. Even as the mystery over which teams will eventually qualify for the World Cup continued, there were duels that demanded close scrutiny. At the Sports Centre in Peffermill today, Belgium created a piece of history by regaining its World Cup place after a gap of eight years, its last appearance being in 1994 at Sydney.

Quite predictably, there is joy and jubilation in the Belgian camp even as the players were down on their knees in sheer ecstasy. What the team needed was a draw against Spain and the Belgians accomplished just that, thanks to a splendid equaliser off a penalty corner from skipper Jean Willems. This outcome nullified all the hard work and victory that the Kiwis gained earlier against Canada, in which Rob Short, captain of the latter outfit, distinguished himself with a hat-trick.

When the Kiwis faced the Canadians, both had just one point. And a victory was mandatory for either of them to get a berth in the semifinals. The Kiwis produced a stunning second half, scoring four goals after sharing two at half-time. Not only did the Kiwis get full points, they also had wiped out their goal difference from minus two to zero, seven for and seven against.

The Belgians, with four points and a difference of plus one, required a point more to make their place secure for the World Cup and a semifinal appearance here. The Spaniards, also on four points and a difference of plus two, were slightly better placed than their opponents before the contest.

The tension and excitement in and around the venue was palpable when the two teams fought with no quarter asked for and none given, with the Kiwis sitting on the sidelines with bated breath.

Circumspection was the watchword for both teams, but the Spaniards looked a trifle more organised and individually more skilful. Juan Escarre and Pol Amat caused some alarm to the Kiwi defence. For the Spanish defence, the main threat was the gangling Vitali Khoropov, whose solo runs triggered quite a few anxious moments, In fact, goalkeeper Harrera had to summon all his ingenuity to baulk an attempt from Vitali.

Close on half-time, Spain struck off a penalty corner, a low flick to the boards from Santi Friexa. Belgium muffed an easy chance when Patrick Gierts missed the mark. Spain appeared to have everything under control till midway in the second half when Jean Willems produced a stunning hit off his second attempt to beat Harrera hands down and level things. And the Belgians held on to that scoreline till the final minutes which witnessed some pulsating moments for the Belgian defence.

With Bevan Hari back in the frontline, the Kiwis were more authoritative and assured in the rival area. And it was Bevan Hari who flicked in a penalty corner to hoist the lead. That, however, proved evanescent as Rob Short produced a spectacular goal on the run to restore parity.

It was even-stevens till midway through. But the Kiwis went ahead through a crafty shot from Ryan Archibald. That lead too was neutralised quickly by Rob Short. Pressing hard in the last quarter, the Kiwis bombarded the rival area. Philip Burrows shot home a penalty corner and followed it up with another brilliant effort.

As though this dominance was not enough, Umesh Parag weaved his way through and finished with a withering shot that left the Canadians in despair. In the closing minute, Rob Short produced another goal to earn a well deserved hat-trick, but by then the Canadians were fighting for a lost cause. The Kiwis' dominance in the contest can be gleaned from the 13 penalty corners they obtained.

New Zealand and Canada will now fight it out for the 5-8 places on Friday.

It's Tirkey's day

Lustreless, laborious and lacking in finesse and authority, India moved into a stage where it needs only a draw in a late match on Wednesday against Poland in Pool F to claim a berth in the semifinals. The victory on Tuesday against Japan was accomplished after a enough trouble. Dilip Tirkey was the star of the show, pumping in two penalty corners, one in each session.

India and Poland have three points each in the Pool in which Argentina leads with six points. Poland has minus three as a difference while India has zero at this point. A win or draw will give India the advantage.

Why India was content to limit its exercises in the rival area to mere probing for the major part of the first-half is incomprehensible. Even granting that ball possession is a cardinal principle of hockey, the Indians appeared to be more concerned with that than building up an attack. So much so, it was the Japanese who looked more threatening than any of the Indian frontliners. Gagan Ajit Singh returned to the attack after missing two earlier matches. It was Japan which forced the first penalty corner, but Wadate hit wide.

India's first constructive attack came midway through when a long hit by Dilip Tirkey put Baljit Dhillon in a perfect position. But after ambling in a few yards, Dhillon lost control, and could effect only a feeble flick.

India forged ahead well past the midway stage when Dilip Tirkey pumped in a penalty corner. Even that did not galvanise the Indian attack into pacy sallies.

One commendable feature of the Indian display was the harmony perceived in the mid-field where Thirumalvalavan and Baljit Singh Saini were prominent. Youngster Bimal Lakra provided adequate support for the mid-field. In the frontline, Baljit Dhillon broke through now and then but the rest, including Prabhjot Singh were not working in co-ordination as to give the Japanese defence any trouble. India crossed over the half-time with a 1-0 lead.

India held the dominance in exchanges and forced five penalty corners in this part. But the variations the team tried were fruitless. Only the direct shot by Dilip Tirkey did the trick as it did in the first-half.

A splendid goal by Simon Organ, a minute before the breather, gave Wales the match-winner against Scotland in Pool G. This was a key match for Scotland considering the fact that the home team's fate of making it to the Commonwealth Games depends on who among the two finishes higher in the rating. At the moment it looks as though Wales has that advantage with six points from two wins while Scotland has three from one win.

Other results: Pool H: France 2 (Nicolas Gaillard, Patrice Daleton) drew with Chile 2 (Felipe Montegu, Pablo Kuhlenthal); Pool G: Scotland 7 (David Ralph 3, Scott McCartney, Philip Webster, Niall Scott, David Mitchell).

Tomorrow is a rest day.

The Belgians are ecstatic after clinching a spot in next year's World Cup at Kuala Lumpur. Belgium will be figuring in the World Cup after a gap of eight years, thanks to the draw against Spain in a World Cup qualifier at Edinburgh on Wednesday. - Photo: Vino John