India goes down fighting

KUALA LUMPUR, AUG. 5. In a nerve-wrecking encounter, a fighting India went down to arch rivals Pakistan 3-4 in its third league match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey on Sunday.

Mohd. Nadeem (20th) Mohd. Shabbir (20th), Kashif Jawwad (36th) and Sohail Abbas (60th) scored for the winners. Daljit Dhillon (28th), Deepak Thakur (32nd) and Jugraj Singh (53rd) scored for the losers.

In one of the most engrossing encounters of the tournament, the two traditional rivals played a dazzling game and the young Indian side thrice came from behind to draw parity, but it was Sohail Abbas who had the last laugh when he converted a penalty corner in the 60th minute to give his side the first win in the tournament.

Pakistan had lost to Australia 3-5, drawn with Korea 2-2 before this win. It now has four points. India, with this defeat, has lost two of the three matches it had played so far with one drawn tie against Malaysia (2-2) and defeat against Germany (0-2). It has only one point to its credit.

With this win, Pakistan took a revenge for the defeat it had suffered against India in the Prime Minister's Gold Cup at Dhaka early this year. The two teams were levelled 2-2 at half time.

It was a game which will be long remembered by the people, who watched it the Bukit Jalil Stadium. Playing their traditional game both the sides went into the attack from the very start with Indians having more of a ball share. With both side trying to probe each other's weaknesses and strengths, the ball was confined to the midfield before Daljit Dhillon made an effort but Sabu Varkey failed to connect it in the circle.

But the real dangerous move was created by Pakistan in the 6th minute when Mohd. Nadeem in tandem with Mohd.Irfan darted past the Indian defence. Irfan just had to beat the goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, but he shot straight into his pads and on the Rebound Devesh again foiled Irfan.

Indian countered with skipper Mukesh Kumar leading the charge and the Pakistan defence came under pressure. However, the Indians tended to hold on to the ball for too long and were disposed by the Pakistani defenders.

In the 12th minute Mukesh set up a move for Sabu Verkay who relayed the ball to Tejbir whose reverse flick went into the cage but the goal was not allowed as the Indian had obstructed the rival defender. Six minutes later Pakistan surged ahead when off a counter move Mohd. Nadeem latched on to a cross and his first timer shot was saved by Devesh but on the rebound he beat the Indian goalkeeper by his reverse shot (1-0).

Two minutes later, Pakistan went up 2-0 as Devesh Chauhan committed a blunder as he let go a slow ball through his pad. Irfan relayed the ball to Shabbir whose slow flick went in which even surprised the Pakistanis (2-0). Despite being down 0- 2, Indians kept on counter attacking and were rewarded with a penalty corner in the 28th minute. Dilip Tirkey's shot was saved by goalkeeper Ahmad Alam but on the rebound Daljit Dhillon shot home (1-2).

Pakistanis countered but were rebuffed by Indian defence in the Indian counter assault in the 32nd minute, Jugraj Singh made a solo move from the centre and sent a measured pass to Deepak Thakur who with a superb reverse flick beat the onrushing goalkeeper to draw parity (2-2).

A minute later, India earned its second penalty corner but Tirkey shot failed to get past the crowded defence. A minute into the second session, Pakistan rattled the Indian defence when Mohd. Nadeem ran down the flank and sent the ball to Kashif Jawwad in the circle. Jawwad only had to deflect the ball before an empty goal leaving the Indian bewildered (3-2). After taking the lead, Pakistan became a bit defensive and tried to slow down the pace of the game which was confined to the midfield for the next ten minutes.

The Indians saw through their rival's tactics and increased their counter attacks from the flanks and in the 53rd minute forced a third penalty corner when Pakistani defender fouled Deepak Thakur on top of the circle. This time Jugraj Singh was brought in to take the penalty corner and the tactic paid as Jugraj's rasping drive gave Ahmed Alam no chance. For the third time Indians drew parity (3-3).

However, seven minutes later Pakistan took the lead for the fourth time when it forced the second penalty corner after an unmarked Nadeem made a move from the left flank only to be obstructed in the circle. Penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas came good for his team when it needed him most. Sohail with his drag flick sent the ball into the cage (4-3).

For the remaining ten minutes Indians went flat out on the attack and did every thing except scoring. They forced their fourth penalty corner in the 64th minute. Tirkey's shot was saved by Alam and on the rebound Deepak Thakur managed to beat the goalkeeper but Mohd. Usman dived and saved the ball just on the goal line. Bad luck for India and good luck for Pakistan. In the dying minutes Indians laid siege around the rival citadel and the Pakistani defence went through a harrowing time, but it held on to the slender lead as luck deserted India at the crucial moment.

- UNI

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