Sunday, Oct 13, 2002
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Asian Games
By S. Thyagarajan
Malaysia 1 Pakistan 1 (2)
The Korean team's joy knows no bounds as it celebrates a nail-biting win over India even as captain Dilip Tirkey walks back a dejected man in the men's hockey final at the 14th Asian Games in Busan on Saturday. - Photo V. Sudershan.
It is debatable whether India had shown such a measure of fortitude to turn the tide back and come within the threshold of a draw and force extra-time to have a knock at the gold. But at the end of a memorable contest, India settled for a silver, with Korea regaining the gold, which it lost at Bangkok four years ago. An indiscrete foul tackle by Jugraj Singh three minutes from the hooter forced umpire Murray Grime to enforce a penalty corner--the first for Korea in this half. And that master striker, Yeo Woon Koon, produced that memorable golden moment for the Koreans, flummoxing goal-keeper Bharat Chetri. And what more, Jugraj by a needless tackle on Seong Tae Song earned a red card as well from Murray Grime, who flourished the same card to the Pakistani attacker, Mohammad Nadeem, in the semifinals. It is really unfortunate that Jugraj, who got the equaliser with a marvellous flick drive when only 10 minutes remained, should become the villain of the piece in the end. But overall, it was a fascinating duel made memorable by the Indian recovery in the second half after a somewhat lacklustre first session in which the Koreans held sway. Mobile, methodical and mellifluous whenever Seong Tae Song went on those solo runs, the Koreans stressed the Indian defence. True, Kanwalpreet Singh gave a splendid account of himself as did the mid-fielders Viren Rasquinha and Bimal Lakra were conspicuous. Despite the close marking by Igance, a brilliant run down the line by Song hoisted the first goal for Korea when Kang Keon Wook drove in a peach of a goal. Try as they did, the Indians were unable to get into a rhythm in the frontline. The gap between the forwards was pronounced leaving attack from developing into its full strength. Both Deepak and Gagan were unable to carry the attack forward, and Dhanraj was too closely marked. Close on half-time, Korea moved up with a neat penalty corner goal by Yew Woon Koon. With two goals up and India not extremely nippy, the spectre of the being outplayed was real. And that feeling accentuated when Seong Tae Song, picking up a pass from Kang, burst through to finish leaving Devesh Chauhan helpless for the third goal minutes after resumption. Even as one was beginning to reconcile to the defeat, Jugraj Singh revived the hopes, converting a penalty stroke. A long pass by Bimal was taken possession by Deepak who was obstructed by Kim Yoon. Umpire Colin Hutchinson awarded the stroke which Jugraj converted. Inspired by this turn of events, India, with Bhat Chetri replacing Devesh Chauhan at the goal, began to press hard. A splendid sally involving Dhanraj and Deepak culminated in Gagan Ajit Singh finding the target with a delightful drive. And minutes later came that stunner of a goal by Jugraj Singh from a penalty corner. As minutes ticked by, excitement reached a crescendo. Korea also most struck the reverse flick by Sao Jung Ho sailed over the post. A draw was on the cards but Jugraj fouled Song and the penalty corner that ensued sealed the fate of India. While Korea confirmed its berth for the Olympics at Athens in 2004, India will have to go through the qualification process. Can there by a more poignant reminder of the aphorism, "So near and yet so far,'' than this momentous final? Rejoinder Singh, the chief coach, conceded that India could not get on with the match in the first half, and having come thus far from 0-3 to 3-3, mistakes in the last few minutes should have been avoided. He wondered how Jugraj who scored two of the three goals for the team could turn out to be cause of the defeat. Shocking but true Pakistan finishing an Asiad without a hockey medal! Shocking as it may sound this reality dawned on a stunned audience when Malaysian goal-keeper Roslan Jamaluddin brought off a splendid save from push by Mudassar Ali in the tie-breaker to give his team a bronze after 12 years. The last podium appearance for Malaysia came at Beijing in 1990. Never in the history of Asian Games has Pakistan ended the campaign without a medal. For the seven-time gold medallist since the launch of hockey in Asian Games in 1958, this was a humiliating performance indeed. In 1994 and 98, Pakistan secured a bronze, and silvers in 1966 and 86. On a day when nothing went right, even the magic of Sohail was successfully smothered after the lead he gave, the Pakistanis laboured hard to create an opening. However their heart was not in the contest. Malaysia got the equaliser from a penalty stroke. A shot by Mohammad Amim struck Dilawar Bhatti's foot. Kevin Raj converted. Both the goals came in the first half. The match meandered into the extra-time and tie-breaker in which Cgoal-keeper Jamaluddin saved from Sohail Abbas and Mudassar Ali. Kevin Raj, Chua Huan Boot, Kuhen Shanmuganathan and Amin Rahim scored for Malaysia, while Sarwar and Waseem netted for Pakistan. Interestingly, Pakistan won the league encounter against Malaysia by six goals to one. The teams: Korea: Yoon Kim (GK), Lim Jong Chun (GK), Kang Keon Wook (Capt.), Shin Seok Kyo, Kim Yong Bee, Yeo Woon Koon, Seong Tae Song, Kim Kyung Seok, Hwang Jong Hyun, Kim Chul, Jeon Jong Ha, Lim Jong Chun, Kang Seoong Jung, Seo Jong Ho, Lee Nam Yong, Ji Seong Hwan. India: Devesh Chauhan (GK), Bharat Chetri (GK), Dilip Tirkey (Capt.), Kanwalpreet Singh, Dinesh Nayak, Jugraj Singh, Viren Rasquinha, Bimal Lakra, Ignace Tirkey, Vikram Pillay, Gagan Ajit Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, Deepak Thakur, Daljit Singh Dhillon, Tejbir Singh and Prabhjot Singh. Umpires: Murray Grime (Australia) and Colin Hutchinson (Ireland). Final placing: 1. Korea, 2. India, 3. Malaysia, 4. Pakistan, 5. China, 6. Japan, 7. Bangladesh and 8. Hong Kong. FIH to consider IHC bids The meeting of the representatives of the International Hockey Federation and the Indian Hockey Federation on the question of approving the statutes of IHC, on October 10, went off without a hitch. All the details required were explained to the satisfaction of the FIH, according to Mr K. Jothikumaran. Mrs Els van Breda Vriesmann and Mr Peter Cohen, president and secretary, respectively, of the FIH were present. India was represented by Mr Jothikumaran, and Mrs Amrit Bose in the absence of Mrs Vidya Stokes, president, IHC, who missed the connecting the flight to Busan. The FIH, according to Mr Jothikumaran, has agreed to consider the bids of the IHC for hosting the Champions Challenge and Champions Trophy, including other programmes like umpires and coaches seminars.
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