Sport - Hockey

Goal-difference takes India to final

By S. Thyagarajan

Melbourne June 8. India is in the final. And that happened despite losing to Australia by the odd goal in three in a pulsating match that should have gone India's way in the quadrangular hockey tournament at the Victory Hockey Centre here on Saturday.

What finally swayed the scales in favour of India was the goal-difference after three of the four teams — India, Malaysia and South Korea finished with three points each. India had a goal-differnece of zero, against the minus two of Korea and four of Malaysia.

This may be some consolation but the score-line does no justice to the quality and content displayed by the Indians. They played skilful hockey, had their moments to score but managed only a solitary goal from a penalty corner hit by Jugraj Singh in the second half.

It was a brisk hockey right through with the Indian defence once again turning an exemplary performance to keep the Aussie raids under check. While it would be invidious to pick anyone in particular for encomiums, high marks are due to the commendable show by mid-fielder, Vikram Pillay.

Vikram was adept and athletic, catching the eye often with his quick runs. Ignace on the left and Bimal in the centre also contributed immensely to the solidity of the intermediate line. Dilip Tirkey in deep defence held on gamely whenever pressure mounted, and goal-keeper Devesh Chauhan warded of danger in two penalty corners which the Aussies forced in the first half.

If the attack had been a bit more imaginative, India could have scored at least twice in the first half. Prabhjot Singh is yet to get into the habit of striking at the target. He missed an easy chance when goal-keeper Mark Hickman was at his mercy after Gagan had provided an astute pass. A good breakaway by Deepak Thakur and Ajit Singh also failed.

The Aussie attack, despite the good work in the mid-field by Brent Livermore and Zain Wright, was inconsistent. Barring a dangerous hit in the penalty corner by Troy Elder, which Chauhan saved with confidence, there was nothing much to relish for the Aussies in the first half.

However, shortly after the break, Aussies surged into the lead through Mike McCann following a goal-mouth scramble. Immediately there was a threat but Chahuan brought off a neat save from Jaime Dwyer.

India pressed with a few thrilling moves and from the first penalty corner, Jugraj Singh produced a stunner. Minutes later, Bimal went on a lovely move but his backhand pass hit Gagan Ajit Singh, waiting at the goal-mouth for a deflection.

Then came the brilliant run by Vikram Pillay, whose backhand flick smashed against the goal-keeper, Mark Hickmann. From the rebound, Tejbir Singh tried a backhand shot which missed the mark by inches.

Australia really struggled to get into the Indian circle but managed to achieve that moment midway in the second half. Jaime Dwyer went on a solo run and left Troy Elder to complete the move with a feeble push.

Malaysia needed at least a draw to stay on course for a place in the final. But the Koreans, far more organised then they were in the earlier matches, led 1-0 at half-time and scored the third goal seconds before the hooter.

An early goal by Shin Seok Kyo from an indirect conversion of a penalty corner provided the impetus for the Koreans to be assertive in the rival zone and generally dictating the terms. The deep defence where Shin Seok played a sheet anchor role gave no space for the Malaysians to work their moves.

Almost the major part of the second half went through before Korea enhanced the lead and it came from a splendid shot by Yeo Woon Koon from the top of the circle after meeting a perfect pass from Jong Ha.

Unfazed by the lead, the Malaysians pressed hard to restore a fighting chance and succeeded ten minutes before the hooter from an opportunistic goal by Megat Termizi. Just as it looked as though a draw was within the realm of possibility, Korea struck, 30 seconds before the final hooter through You Moon Ki.

The win brought all the three teams, India, Malaysia and South Korea on par with three points each, making only the goal-difference as the denominator to determine the finalist against the Aussies.

The points position (Read as Country, Played, Won, Drawn, Lost, Goals For, Goals Against, Points): Australia: 3 3 0 0 9 3 9; India: 3 1 0 2 5 5 3; Malaysia: 3 1 0 2 5 9 3; Korea: 3 1 0 2 4 6 3.

Sunday's matches: 3-4: Malaysia v Korea (8-30 a.m. IST); Final: India v Australia (10-30 a.m.)

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