India wins Videocon Cup

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 14. The final Test of the four-match India- Malaysia junior hockey series ended in a 1-1 draw at the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) astro turf stadium on Friday. The teams were tied at the same score at half-time. On account of a better goal average, India was adjudged winner of the Videocon Cup.

Just over a quarter of an hour into the contest and Prabjyoth Singh sounded the side-board for the host. The equaliser came from Zahrin two minutes before the breather.

Olympian Jiwa wore the captain's arm-band for the visitor as skipper Boon Huat, recovering from a fever, took his time to take the field. For most of the first half, each move emanated from the Malaysian danger area, took wing along the sideline on the right, made a right angle turn to the left along the flanks and penetrated the Indian semi-circle time and again.

While the Indian forwards were `marked' men, the Malaysian game showed tremendous enterprise, regrouping in defence and fanning out in counter-attack with equal alacrity. Indian centre-forward Deepak Thakur was pinned down by the bandana-wearing Norhanafi and Shankar, an Azlan Shah veteran.

But one little lapse and Malaysia's water-tight defence was ruptured. Somesh Kantha, from close to the centre- line, gave the slip to a pair of rival defenders, advancing menacingly to the Malay citadel. Arjun Hallappa, hovering around the opponent's `D,' promptly passed the ball to Prabjyoth, the lone forward.

Although positioned to the left, Prabjyoth enjoyed a clear view of the Malaysian goal, which he made the most of, slamming the ball to the outer limits of the custodian's reach with the accuracy of a crack-shooter. On and off thereafter, he showed considerable skill in dribbling.

The Malaysian tenacity to possess the ball was such that its players threw themselves, sticks outstretched, to divest the home-side off the white sphere. In guarding their stronghold, they often laid their sticks out flat, trapping the ball for better control.

Shortly before change of ends, the industrious Jiwa, fed from the left by a Shankar pass, dodged two Indian backs, as he led a charge for the adversary's bastion. His hit was warded off by Indian goalie Mallan Gowda. That rebound was, however, pounced upon by the watchfully waiting Zahrin, who gingerly diverted the ball home.

An impressive solo by Bimal Lakra after the change of ends, was fended off by the resilient Malay defenders. A free for all followed shortly after, along the visitors' 25-yard line. While it was difficult to decide who provoked and who started the fracas, there was quite a bit of unpleasantness, resulting in Malaysian coach Yahya Atan calling back his wards.

Play was held up for a while before better sense prevailed, as Hyderabad Hockey Association officials pleaded with Atan to urge his boys to resume the action. Play began but not before the red card was flashed at Lakra and Malaysian goal- scorer Zahrin.

Atan was generous in praise for the Indians, complimenting their game and the moves they initiated. Of the quarrel, he felt a stick ought not to be raised, for it could become a weapon and instead should be directed at the ball.

His counterpart Charles Cornelius lamented the lost opportunities his boys could not capitalise on. Citing one instance, he said, three Indian forwards merely watched as the Malaysian custodian groped for the ball. ``Much work needs to be done on our basic skills, in which the Malaysians were far superior,'' he admitted.

But for the World Cup campaign, the faith he had in his squad was tremendous. Looking at them longingly, working out after the last game, he said, ``this is the best lot in the country. If its not them that brings home the World Cup, it will not be in another 10 years.''

A.P. State Minister for Information and Public Relations, N. Siva Prasad, gave away the winner's trophy, and Aniruddh Dhoot, Director, Videocon, the runner-up's.

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