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Sport - Asian Games Printer Friendly Page   Send this Article to a Friend

China picks up gold amidst controversy

By S. Thyagarajan 


(W) China      2 Korea     1

                                           
Japan          2 India     0

                                           
(M) Bangladesh 3 Hong Kong 2 

                                           
China          3 Japan     2
Busan Oct. 11 . Tears of joy and anguish mingled as China swept itself to its first ever gold medal finish in women's hockey at the Asian Games here this afternoon. The Chinese celebrations were toned down by the genuine agony of the Koreans, (champion of the four successive Asiads since 1986) many of whom were convinced that both goals against had an element of doubt and trace of controversy. That one of the goals was "awarded'' in itself tells the tale in a very transparent way.

The victory for China may well go with its current up curve on the world stage after taking possession of the prestigious Champions Trophy at Macau. But this evening, the girls did not touch top form and were kept at bay by the resilient Koreans throughout. Disappointed and distressed that both the Chinese goals were open to debate, the Koreans fought the issue tooth and nail till the final minute. That they reduced the margin 10 minutes before to make a match of it conveys their fighting spirit.

In a tightly marked fast paced game, umpiring has to keep on the same keel. But sadly the Japanese umpire Cheiko Akiyama was palpably out of step with the occasion. China attacked strongly from the wing where Fu Bao Rong made repeated sallies with Tang Chun Ling.

The Koreans matched the rival stride for stride, thanks to the efficient working of the skipper, Eun Young Lee with Oh Koon Woon as able ally. There was little to choose between till the end of the first half.

Minutes after resumption of the second half, Akiyama awarded a penalty corner from which Chen Zhao Xia shot the lead. But the Koreans argued, presumably, that the ball was raised by one of the attackers.

Play was held up for a few minutes before the umpire could convince the Koreans. Minutes later came the penalty stroke when Li Shuang was obstructed by goal-keeper Park Young Suk. Bao Rong flicked feebly and the ball just rolled to the pads of Park Young Suk.

Even as Koreans celebrated the save, came the decision to "award'' the goal under Rule 11 (D), penalising the goal-keeper for a breach of rules during the penalty stroke. What the umpire ignored was that Bao Rong delayed the execution, swayed the stick a bit forcing the Korean goal-keeper to move a step.

In a desperate effort to comeback, the Koreans hit back strongly and Kim Seong Eun hit the target to take advantage of a defence lapse.

Unable to maintain the verve and tempo of the first quarter and palpably losing the initiative, India fell from the podium of a silver medallist to a non-entity, losing the bronze medal match to Japan.

The early phase of the contest contained everything to suggest resurgence from the pathetic performance three matches preceding this. Pritam and Manjinder Singh used Mamta Kharab well on the wing, but the frontline hardly found the rhythm to stress the defence. Even the three penalty corners that were forced failed to yield anything of substance.

With Sita Gussein in the mid-field and Amandeep working hard, goal-keeper Tingoleima Chanu effecting good saves, Japan was held on leash till the closing minutes of first half. But the gangling Morimoto produced a delectable deflection to a long pass by Chie Kimura for the lead. After the break, Morimoto struck again having been left unmarked by the defence.

Bangladesh seventh

In the men's placing matches, Bangladesh finished seventh beating Hong Kong. Ashraful Islam, Maksud Alam, and Mohammad Musa Mia scored for Bangalesh. Iqbal Shafig and Ishtiaq Khan scored for Hong Kong.

In the other match for 5-6, China beat Japan by the odd goal in five. Ren Baode and Song Yi (2) scored for China, while Tobita obtained both for Japan.

The teams: China: Chen Zhao Xia (C), Chen Qiu Qi, Cheng Hui, Fu Bao Rong, Hou Xiao Lan, Huang Jun Xia, Li Ai Li, Li Shuang, Long Feng Yu, Nie Yali (GK), Ma Yi Bo, Tang Chun Ling, Wang Jiu Yan, Zhang Hai Ying, Zhang Shuang, Zhou Wan Feng.

Korea: Jo Jin Ju, Kang Na Young, Ki Sook Hyun, Kim Eun Jin, Kim Yun-Mi, Kim Seong Eun, Kim Jin Kyoung, Lee Eun Young (C), Lee Seon Ok, Lee Jin Hee, Lee Mi-Seong, Lim Ju Young (GK), Oh Ko Woon, Park Young Suk (GK), Park Jeong Sook, Yoo Hee Joo.

Umpires: Michele Arnold (Australia) Cheiko Akiyama (Japan).

Final placings: 1. China, 2. South Korea 3. Japan, 4. India.

Saturday's matches: (3-4) Pakistan v Malaysia (8-30 a.m.); Final: India v Korea (11-30 a.m. IST).

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