Date:18/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/08/18/stories/2004081812081900.htm

Sport - Olympic Games

India rallies to beat South Africa

By S. Thyagarajan

India 4South Africa 2

Pakistan 7Egypt 0

Korea 3Britain 2

Argentina 2Australia 2

ATHENS, AUG. 17. The Indian hockey team, perhaps inspired by Rajvardhan Rathore's feat in rifle shooting, recovered from a 0-2 deficit to beat South Africa, scoring two goals in the final minute, and the last in about 20 seconds before the hooter. South Africa led 2-1 in the pool B encounter.

For the major part of the first half, the Indians were listless and didn't have any clue to what the South Africans were doing.

There was no pattern in the play what with Gagan Singh starting at left flank with Adam Sinclair on the right and Deepak at centre. Dhanraj was not fielded in the first team.

Whatever may the strategy of the German coach, Gerhard Rach, the outcome would definitely boost the confidence of the team which has important contests ahead. Three points would keep the team in good stead.

The defence continues to be vulnerable and that accounted for two quick goals by the South Africans. An indirect penalty corner goal by Greg Nicol,inarguably one of the most successful hitters in contemporary hockey, gave goal-keeper Adrian D'Souza. Midway through the defence left Steve Evans a free run, and his quick sally ended with Craig Fulton hitting the target.

Everything looked sombre and grim as the team struggled to beat the rival defence manned tightly by skipper Craig Jackson and Bruce Jacobs.

Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Dhillon functioned effectively crafting quite a few moves. The former in particular slipped through many a time but found the frontline not in harmony.

Close on half time, India earned the first penalty corner. A fierce shot by Dilip Tirkey was stopped by goal-keeper Staniforth but Dhanraj was quick enough to flick in the rebound.

Progressively, India gained the upperhand and a neat penalty corner shot by Baljit Singh Dhillon brought in the equaliser.

India had four penalty corners in this session as against the two by South Africa.

Meanwhile, South Africa did exert pressure on the inconsistent defence but goal-keeper Adrian D'Souza more than once came to the team's rescue. A yellow card suspension for Ryan Ravenscroft reduced the South Africans to 10 and rendered the defence more innocuous. The Indians pressured relentlessly at this point. When a minute and 40 seconds left for the hooter, Dilip Tirkey produced a stunner of a shot from a penalty corner. Even before the cheers died down a quick clearance by Viren put Deepak Thakur on the move. After fine solo run he served the ball to Gagan Ajit Singh who provided the finishing touches.

It is true that some individual work by the Indians was admirable, but there was no perceptible cohesion. The team still looked somewhat unsettled. This victory and the confidence it brings in should prepare the team to face the rigours aginst the rest-New Zealand, Argentina and Australia in quest of a semifinal berth.

Pakistan routs Egypt

Pakistan overwhelmed Egypt to gain first full points in two matches. Paksitan lost the opener against Germany by the odd goal in three. Sohail Abbas struck four, with Tashif Jawaad (2) and Mohammad Nadeem (1).

Korea posts win

Needing a win to be in the hunt for a place in the semifinals, the Koreans scored a thrilling victory over Great Britain in a Pool A encounter this morning. The match-winner came two minutes before the hooter thanks to a penalty corner by Lee Jung Seon.

It was a tight match in which Britain's defence held on gamely throughout but the Koreans were faster and picked up a goal in the first half and slotted two in the second. Korea took the lead when Lee Jung Seon produced a stunning shot that left Mason beaten under the bar.

Danny Hall worked out a solo move to obtain the equaliser but a perfect penalty corner by Yew Woo Koon gave Korea the lead. Britain hit back when the unmarked Niall Stott shot home a pass from Danny Hall. A draw was on the cards before Lee converted a penalty corner two minutes from end. The Koreans who drew with Spain in the opening game have four points.

Match drawn

Meanwhile, the unpredictable Argentineans came close to stage an upset but ended up sharing points with Australia. An early goal by Mario Almada stunned the Aussie defence, which had to work hard to net the equaliser through Jaime Dwyer off a penalty corner.

Another splendid goal by Mario Almada before half-time gave Argentina a 2-1 lead. The Aussies had to wait till four minutes from the end to share the points. Jaime Dwyer again came to the rescue for the Aussies, who had a fluent start against the Kiwis in the opening match. Australia has four points to the one by Argentina.