India squanders chances, loses to Australia

HOBART, OCT. 15. India suffered a setback in its quest for a spot in the semifinals of the junior World Cup hockey championship when it squandered a 1-0 lead to go down 1-2 to Australia in a second round league match here on Monday.

India, runner-up in the last edition of the tournament, outplayed the Australians for most part but failed to capitalise on the numerous chances that came its way.

After the first half had gone goalless, penalty corner specialist Jugraj Singh put India ahead in the 39th minute. But a desperate Australia, which had suffered a shock defeat against the Netherlands on Sunday, rallied swiftly to score two goals in the 44th and 59th minutes to carve out a win.

India, which had drawn 2-2 with Argentina on Sunday in its first match of the second round league, now has a tough job of beating the Netherlands with a big margin in order to entertain any hopes of making it to the last four.

The first half witnessed fast-paced action with both teams raiding the rival areas frequently but unable to utilise the opportunities.

The Indian midfield comprising Bimal Lakra, Bipin Fernandez and Ignatius Tirkey, however, was very subdued and unable to show the firepower of the previous games. Australia started strongly and almost scored when a hard Victory shot off a penalty corner just sped past the goalpost.

Even though Australia was playing well in the midfield, India had more circle penetrations. The Indians entered the Aussie circle 14 times to Australia's 11. Australia was dominant when it came to penalty corners, earning five to India's one, in this session.

The second half started badly for India when Gagan Ajit Singh, while rushing into the circle, took the stick of Liam de Young on his shin. The Indian skipper was stretchered off.

De Young earned a yellow card and from the resultant penalty corner, Jugraj Singh fired home to give India the lead in the 39th minute.

The Indians' joy was, however, shortlived. Australia, stunned by the reverse, stepped up the attack and earned its sixth penalty corner in the 44th minute. Victory was bang on target with a superb deflection to pull things level.

India desperately tried to win the battle in the midfield but couldn't achieve its objective even as Australia found the winning goal in the 59th minute.

On a counter-attack, the Australians moved to the right flank where Joshua Hawes, racing in from the middle, took a pass and slammed the ball home.

Gagan Ajit came back with his left leg bandaged but the Aussies were playing strongly by then, and very aggressive after taking the lead.

India had four penalty corners in the last five minutes but could not score.

Coach Rajinder Singh was visibly disappointed and said the team lacked passion while the Aussies won because they played strongly and deserved to win.

``I always knew that we will win only if we convert the chances but Deepak Thakur, Gagan, Arjun, Prabhjot all missed chances in front of the goal,'' he said.

``It's very disappointing and now we have to go all out against Holland. We have to win that game and then see how the other teams fare and probably only then we will know whether we have a chance for the semifinals or not.''

Rajinder Singh said in the team meeting he would impress on his players to go all out and beat the Netherlands. India is in a must-win situation against the Dutch and also has to bank on Argentina beating Australia.

Scotland, Canada win

In the other matches of the day, England drew with Spain 2-2, Scotland beat Chile 3-2 and Canada beat Ireland 2-1.

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