The Hindu : Netherlands regains cup

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 09, 2002

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Netherlands regains cup

By S.Thyagarajan

Australia 3 Korea 0

Pakistan 4 India 3

Holland 0 (3) Germany 0 (2)

Cologne Sept. 8 Amidst a carnival atmosphere, the Netherlands regained the cup, India courted a dramatic reverse that contained all the ingredients of a Greek tragedy, and Australia ensured its stay in the competition as the 24th edition of the Champions Trophy men's hockey competition reached the finale at the Rot-Weiss Stadium on a glorious Sunday.

If you were looking for any artistic flourishes and embellishments of stick work, the final offered nothing of that sort. On the contrary, it was a cold, calculated and configurated system that allowed neither gain any extra space or indulge in creative work.

True, the Germans dominated the first half what with Witthuas Matthias and Chritian Wein making inroads into the rival defence. But beyond that they could do nothing besides forcing as many as three penalty corners.

In the second half, Holland had more of the ball, created some neat openings though Ronald Brouwer and Teun de Nooijer supported well from the mid-field by Jereom Delmee.

But the German defence headed by the rangy Florian Kunz stood like solid bastion as was the goal-keeper Clemens Arnold. In the golden goal phase, Bjorn Michel almost scored but the umpire, Ray Connor, disallowed that claim.

It was inevitable that such a tight match should go into the extra-time which it did when the score-board remained blank.

But in the tie-breaker, the Dutchmen prevailed. But overall, it was such a nervous exercise for both that goal-keepers made easy saves from straight flicks.

Germany brought in the substitute goal-keeper Christian Schulte, but it was Guus Vogels of Holland who carried the day. Taeke Takaema, Piet Gerris and Ronald Brouwer scored for Holland while Sascha Reinelt and Tibor Weibenborn were successful for the Germans.

3-1 for India, and then the disaster. Believe it or not, this was, in a nutshell, the second meeting between India and Pakistan, with the latter taking the bronze.

The last quarter reverse must have come as a shock to many as it was to the audience at the Rot Weiss Stadium.

Admittedly, it was anything of a classic contest that one witnessed last Wednesday. Predictably, both were circumspect.

But as the tie wore on, India was far more organised after having smothered a couple of penalty corners in the early part of the match. Goal-keeper Devesh Chauan was absolutely secure under the bar, and brought off two splendid saves off Sohail Abbas. And when Jugraj struck with an immaculate penalty corner, everything was rolling well.

Even the equaliser by Mudassar Ali Khan from a penalty corner gave no inkling to Pakistan dominating the proceedings.

While Dhanraj was closely marked and not allowed enough space the frontline worked with some cohesion thanks to the fluent runs on the wing by Deepak Thakur along with Prabhjot Singh.

Even the mid-field held on gamely what with Bimal Lakra remaining conspicuous in his workouts assisted by Ignace Tirkey.

The mid-field ensured shackling the Pakistani attack, which could not gain the upperhand despite the efficient functioning of the mid-field where Saqlain Ahmed held fort. Wassem was another who strove manfully to keep the Indian attack in check.

There was momentary tension when Gill and Saqlain clashed after the break, but the umpires managed to mollify tempers and a flare up was smothered.

India surged ahead with a brilliant penalty corner shot by Dilip Tirkey. Almost immediately India could have enlarged the lead if only Gagan's backhander been on target.

But within minutes, Gagan smashed in the third goal off a cross from Bimal Lakra when 17 minutes remained from the hooter.

Any thought of India pulling off a second win in four days was genuine. But it did not turn out that way. A powerful shot by Sarwar which hit the post and bounced back was the harbinger to the tragedy.

Even as the Indian defence was going haywire, Mudassar connected a long pass from Wassem for the second. Buoyed by the changing trend,

Paksitan resorted to fast breaks, taking advantage of the loopholes in marking inside the circle and on the 25 yard line.

Rehan Butt met a long pass for the equaliser with perfect lunge, and repeated the sequence within minutes to send India tumbling down from the pedestal when only seven minutes remained.

The reverse will be spoken of for years especially for the manner in which Pakistan deprived India of the bronze, which looked in its grasp till 13 minutes from the end.

The consolation of being part of the elite does not compensate for the humiliation, which could have been averted with better planning of the defence in the last quarter.

In fact, in all the matches here, the Indians were found wanting to stay on course in the final minutes. Where does the solution lie for this malady? Manager Aslam Sher Khan acknowledged that Pakistan utilised the chances better while Rajinder Singh expressed satisfaction over the fourth placing.

Australia averted the danger and the embarrassment of destroying the link it has with the Champions Trophy-24 continuous appearances since 1978-recording a convincing win over the Koreans.

Humbled by everyone in the league stage without a point in its favour, the Aussies, known for their fortitude and fighting spirit rallied on a pleasant, breezy Sunday morning to take the fifth place and ensure the silver jubilee appearance next year at Amsterdam.

Tight in defence and tension free in the frontline, the Aussies scored midway in the first half with Scot Webster deflecting a free hit, followed by a stroke by Jaime Dwyer who was obstructed inside the circle. In the second half, Mike McCann gave the Aussies what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

The Koreans finished last in the table even in the last edition at Rotterdam but came into the reckoning after taking the fourth place at the last World Cup.

Ms.Els van Breda Vriesman, President, FIH, and Freiherr Manfred von Richthofen, President, DHB, gave away the trophy.

The teams:

Holland: Guus Vogels (gk), Bram Lomans, Jan Geert Derikx, Erik Jazet, Sander Van Der Weide, Ronald Brouwer, Hein Peit Gerris, Maarten Froger, Jereon Delmee (c),Josef Kramer (gk), Teun de Nooijer, Jan John Van't Land, Marritjs Brouwer, Rob Derikx, Taeke Taekama, and Mennno Booij.

Germany: Arnold Clemens (gk), Christian Schulte (gk), Philip Crone, Max Landshut, Christian Wein, Bjorn Michel, Sascha Reinelt, Oliver Domke, Bjorn Emmerling, Sebastian Biederblack, Ribor Wiesbenborn, Florian Kunz (c), Timo Wess, Justus Scharowsky, Matthias Witthaus, and Philip Zeller.

Umpires: David Leiper (Scotland) and Ray O'Connor (Ireland)

Final positions: 1.Holland, 2. Germany, 3,Pakistan, 4.India 5.Australia 6. Korea.

Player of the tournament: Dhanraj Pillay (India).

Best Goal-keeper: Clement Arnold (Germany).

Most Promising Player: Jong Ho Seo (Korea).

Top scorer: (7) Taeke Taekema (Netherlands).

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