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Hockey
By S. Thyagarajan
Australia 8 Argentina 3 Netherlands 6 Germany 0 India 7 Pakistan 4
India had an outside chance of coming into medal contention if Argentina were to lose by more than a three-goal margin against Australia. But in the end the leeway was five. This, placed against the minus two by India, pushed the latter to fourth spot, forcing another tie against Pakistan even as the euphoria of the 7-4 triumph on Friday continues to possess many passionately in and around Amstelveen. Interestingly, it is a repeat of what happened in the last edition at Cologne, where India had to face Pakistan for the bronze after a splendid victory in the first meeting. What would be India's composition on Sunday is pretty difficult to guess with two of its mid-fielders, Baljit Singh Saini and Ignace Tirkey, in the injured list. Viewed in another perspective, this is one compelling chance for coach Rajinder Singh shuffle the mid-field, inducting Vikram Pillay and Vinay in the needle encounter in which the youngsters have to prove themselves. The Aussies were simply awesome this afternoon, especially in the second half when they slotted six goals against the three that Argentina managed to score. Fast paced and perfect in finish, the Aussies carried too many variations for the Argentine defence to comprehend. Craig Victory, Nathan Eglington and Grant Schubert were all over the rival area pinning down the defence. Earlier on it had looked as though Argentina would meet the challenge, but once Mike McCann got the lead from a pass by Craig Victory, the Aussies were on song. Craig also scored one before the breather. Argentina was very much in the picture for a bronze after the break, but Grant Schubert tapped in a cross from Adam Commens. A penalty corner goal by Jorge Lombi again put the outcome in doubt. Mike McCann hit in a penalty corner and when Adam Commens was obstructed by goal-keeper Pablo Morreira, the Dutch umpire, Rob ten Cate, substituting for the Malaysian umpire, Amarjit Singh, awarded a stroke. Troy Elder converted. A penalty corner hit by Carlos Retegui again gave the Argentines some hope but three quick goals, by Grant Schubert, Robert Hammand and Tristrom Woodhouse, came as a sucker punch for Argentina. No doubt, there was a goal by Jorge Lombi, a minute before the hooter, but by then everything was over for Argentina. Zain Wright and Paul Gaudoin were shown the yellow cards in the second half. Academic though the interest was for the Dutch, the youthful German bunch forced the more seasoned opponents to work hard for their goals. They were tenacious for over quarter of an hour before Bram Lomans pumped in a penalty corner. A crafty pass by Teun de Nooijer enabled Karel Klaver to enlarge the lead and Bram Lomans scored again before halftime. After resumption, Teun de Nooijer, wove his way through for the fourth goal and when two minutes remained netted another one followed by Floris Evers. Baljit Singh Saini, who was injured on the bridge of the nose last evening, will be out of competitive hockey at least for three weeks. Meanwhile, the IHF has decided to hold the preparatory camp for the Asia Cup at Bangalore, and the team is also programmed to train for a few days in Singapore before reaching Kuala Lumpur. The indications are that there may not many changes in the squad, except perhaps Sandeep Michael coming in the place of Didar Singh. If Saini is unfit then the selectors would be looking for a replacement, which may be Vivek Gupta of the Indian juniors team, Arjun Halappa or Prabhodh Tirkey, who are in competitive trim now.
Incredible win
India notched up an incredible victory recovering from a 2-3 deficit at half time and a 2-4 margin not long after to humiliate Pakistan with the biggest ever defeat in the Champions Trophy competition, at the Wagener Stadium here on Friday. It was a delightful contest. Not only did India win but also prevented Pakistan from taking a spot in the final against Holland. For India, its trump card was Jugraj Singh. Goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan was also in the limelight, having brought off a few splendid saves. If India had scored twice to reduce the margin to 2-3 at half time, after Pakistan led 3-1, it was through Jugraj's two withering shots from penalty corners. Again, it was Jugraj who was in the thick of the battle in a failed penalty corner exercise when Pakistan was leading 4-2. Jugraj failed to the hit, but managed to wrest the ball, flick it to Dhillon who helped Deepak Thakur send the ball crashing into the boards. Shocked by the manner in which India bounced back, the Pakistani defence caved in against the sustained pressure of the attack launched by Dhanraj, Dhillom, Deepak, Prabhjot and Gagan Ajit Singh. Jugraj again burst down the right flank, spread-eagled the defence. Deepak picked up the ball swerved to his left and served a peach of a pass to Prabhjot Singh who smashed the ball in. Minutes later Prabhjot provided Gagan a splendid opening and the striker produced a stunner to hoist the lead. The next ten minutes saw Gagan and Deepak scoring to make it 7-4. Position of teams: (read as points, win, draws, losses, goals for, against, and points): Holland 5 4 1 0 23 11 13, Australia 5 3 1 1 25 14 10, Pakistan 5 2 2 1 21 20 8, India 5 2 0 3 16 18 6, Argentina 5 2 0 3 18 23 6, Germany 5 0 0 5 6 23 0. Sundays' matches: 5-6: Argentina vs. Germany (1-30 p.m.); 3-4: India vs. Pakistan (4 p.m.); Final: The Netherlands vs. Australia (6-30 p.m.).
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