Sport - Hockey

India subdues Korea once again

By S. Thyagarajan

Melbourne June 6. Casting aside the despondent mood caused by the defeat on Wednesday, India produced a splendid performance on Thursday to prevail over Korea, for the second time in less than a week, in the quadrangular hockey tournament here at the Victoria Hockey Centre. The Indians, who beat Korea 4-3 at Adelaide, scored one in each half today.

Earlier, the Aussies maintained their winning streak beating Malaysia, virtually earning the right to contest the final on Sunday. Australia has six points from two wins, while Malaysia and India have three points each. But India takes second place on the table, ahead of Malaysia, on better goal difference.

Gagan Ajit Singh once again scored a peach of a goal to put India in the lead early in the match. A free hit by Tirkey from the fringes of the 25-yard line gave Daljit Dhillon the opening. But goalkeeper Lim Jong came in the way of Daljit's deflection. As the ball bounced, Gagan trapped it and finished with a wristy flick.

The Koreans, however, were unrelenting in their attack and put the Indian defence under a lot of stress. The mid-field, where the hardworking Vikram Pillay played a leading role, held on tenaciously as did the deep defence. Skipper Dilip Tirkey performed his part with a touch of aplomb instilling confidence into the other defender, Jugraj Singh. As always, Sukbir Singh Gill was steady on the right. India defended three penalty corners in the first half.

The Indian attack was fast and powerful but lacked individual thrust. More than once, Deepak Thakur got the ball but failed to capitalise on the openings. Daljit Dhillon, however, provided some impressive passes and created space. Almost throughout the first half, the Indian frontline commanded a lot of attention in the rival area.

For a brief period after the break, the Koreans played at a terrific speed and nearly succeeded in breaking the rhythm of the Indian defence. Prompted well by Shin Seok Kyo and supported in the mid-field by Jong Ha, the Koreans held sway but the Indian defence was solid enough to hang on. A quick move by Deepak Thakur relieved pressure and brought a penalty corner also. A withering shot by Tirkey culminated in a skirmish for the ball. As Gagan pushed in, goal-keeper Lim Jong Chul checked the attacker with the stick. Umpire Ramaniswaran showed the spot and Daljit Dhillon made no mistake.

India had another glorious chance shortly when Deepak Thakur went on a brilliant run and passed the ball. Prabhjot waited for the pass but shot outside. Korea applied pressure and threatened to score any moment. The pressure was so intense that India conceded four penalty corners in quick succession but managed to stave off the Koreans. Devesh Chauhan who received attention for a muscle cramp, brought off a superb save off a shot from Yeo Woon Koon. Immediately, India survived another threat when a shot by Shin Seok Kyo from a penalty corner beat the goalkeeper. But Ignace Tirkey rose to the occasion with a goal-line save and repeated it again minutes later from a shot by Shin.

Australia's four goals tonight came from penalty corner sequences. The margin, however, does not clearly reflect the good defence of the Malaysians, who smothered the consistent pressure from the Aussies for whom the mid-fielders, Brent Livermore and Adam Commens worked with enthusiasm and efficiency. Australia had five penalty corners in the first and seven in the second. It could score only a solitary goal off a flick by Troy Elder.

The Malaysian defence, comprising Gopinathan and Ponirin assisted the goal-keeper, Jamaluddin Roslan quite well. More than once, Jamaluddin brought off neat saves. Malaysia in fact equalised before half-time through a brilliant effort. Gopinathan sallied in delectably beating the defence and Chairl Anwar provided the finishing touches. This was the best of the five goals scored in the match.

In the second half, the pressure on Malaysian defence shot up manifold. Andrew Smith put the Aussies ahead in a penalty corner battle after Roslan stopped a push by Troy Elder. George Bevan collected the rebound, flicked it across to Andrew Smith, who smashed the ball into the boards. The next effort of Andrew Smith was immaculate and Roslan was beaten all ends up. In the final minute, Nathan Eglington gave Australia the fourth goal. Malaysia had two penalty corners, both coming in the second half. Tomorrow is a rest day.

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