The Hindu : Impressive victory for India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 29, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

Impressive victory for India

By S. Thyagarajan

AFP

India's Bimal Lakra (left) challenges Australia A's Adam Commens in the tri-nation hockey tournament in Perth on Wednesday. India won 2-0.

Australia 3 Pakistan 0

India 2 Australia `A' 0

Perth May 28. Far from authoritative, the Aussies authored a laboured victory over Pakistan in the tri-nation hockey competition this evening. With a brace in the first half-time, Australia netted one more in the second.

On the contrary, India put up a pleasing show against a spirited and better motivated Australian `A' side. Strictly speaking, it is a misnomer to term the `A' team as a second string. In fact, in patches, the players, some of whom are in the national side, came off better than the Australian main side. It was a good outing for India before moving into the tournament proper against the Aussies tomorrow. Everything turned out well for the team, though one felt a little more cohesion in the frontline would have paid higher rewards. True, Dhanraj was the fulcrum around which the whole line revolved, but if Gagan had been more sharp the team could have notched up a couple of goals more.

As always Dhanraj carried the weight of the attack on his shoulders, showing the Aussie defenders the charm of stick work and dodges. He formed an excellent combination with Jugraj and Gagan Ajit Singh, and worked well with Mukesh Kumar.

What stood out was the energetic mid-field play in which Viren Resquinha, along with Bimal Lakra and Ignace came off commendably. Bimal, in particular, was confidence personified in his work. In the deep defence, Dilip Tirkey was prominent and gave India the lead midway in the first half with a stunner of a shot from a penalty corner that bewildered Stephen Lambert, who otherwise looked assured in the saves he effected.

Prompted well in the mid-field by skipper and veteran Adam Commens, the Aussies were forthright throughout but struggled to get the measure of the tight Indian defence. Full back Kanwalpreet Singh also gave an impressive performance. Goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, though not tested much, showed reflexes that kept the Aussie attack at bay. He brought off a lovely save off a penalty corner hit by Steven Boyce.

Mukesh gave a touch of elegance to the attack and had a part in India's second goal. Actually, Sandeep Michael initiated the move but Mukesh provided an excellent pass to Gagan Ajit Singh who compensated for his earlier lapses.

India had four penalty corners, three in the first half, while the `A' team had three in the match.

Coach Rajinder Singh was quite satisfied with the outcome and the way the team shaped in the contest. He however cautioned that nothing much should be read in this outcome but a lot depended on what is in store for tomorrow. Prabhodh Tirky and Tushar Khandekar were dropped from the 20, and even in the 18, Rajinder Singh did not try out Baljit Saini and Baljit Dhillon.

That two of the three goals for the main Australia team came from penalty corners and the other, the lead, to be exact, from a penalty stroke gives a clear picture of the first match. What lent the Aussies some semblance of flourish was the work in the mid-field, where Brent Livermore was as composed and crafty as ever. Although not very conspicuous, skipper, Paul Gaudoin worked consistently, as did Troy Elder on the left flank. The deep defence was not stretched much by the Pakistani frontline which worked in fits and starts. Initially, the ebullient Mike McCann moved frequently inside the circle but as the match progressed was marked well enough. The same can be said of the famed striker, Craig Victory.

Pakistan too defensive

Defensive for no apparent reason, the Pakistanis allowed the match to drift, hoping for some favourable turn. So much so as the pressure escalated, they capitulated notwithstanding some excellent saves by skipper Ahmed Alam. There was no noticeable work in the mid-field, except for some stray tackling by Dilawar Hussain. Once Saqlain Mohammad came in there was clearly improvement but not sufficient enough to keep the frontline busy. Only on a rare occasion did one see striker Taushif Jawaad making his way through.

Surviving an anxious moment after Jaime Dwyer shot clumsily from a point blank range, Pakistan conceded the first goal. Ahmed Alam rushed out to baulk an attempt by Mike McCann but Ghazanfar Ali came in the way of the hit. Kiwi umpire, Craig Gribble, showed no hesitation to pointing the spot and Brent Livermore did the rest with a neat carpet flick. The lead did precious little to inject any verve into the Aussie attack which looked mediocre.

Close on half-time, Australia added one more when a penalty corner was awarded after goal-keeper Ahmed Alam stopped a shot by Nathan Eglington. Troy Elder produced a grounder to beat Alam.

Interestingly, Pakistan had six penalty corners, two of which were stretched beyond the regulation time. If only Sohail was there.... if only! Australia had four in the match, two in each half.

Australia scored the third goal midway through following a penalty corner. Alam saved a neat shot by Elder but Nathan Eglington tapped in the rebound.

Tomorrow's matches: Australia vs India (3 p.m. IST), Pakistan vs Australia `A' (5 p.m.).

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