India overcomes Spain

By S.Thyagarajan

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Malaysia 2 -- Pakistan 2

India 3 -- Spain 2

Australia 2 -- Argentina 1

Germany 2 -- Netherlands 2

SYDNEY, SEPT. 23 Sketching the win recorded by India this afternoon in an atmosphere soaked in fervour without sinking into an emotional melange is not easy. The team is on the threshold of last four from Pool B in Olympic hockey competition. Everyone watching it admires the touch of aesthetics ingrained in the approach.

Casting aside the depression from the defeat against Korea in the earlier match, India played delectably to overcome Spain, whose strategies are the envy of many. Spain was a silver medallist at Atlanta, where also India won the pool match. Today's win brings the total for India to seven points with a match against Poland on Tuesday.

India figures in the calculation of many for a place in the smei- final. The reality will be determined by the other set of matches and also from the outcome against Poland. The win today was significant in that it brought the team back into the picture and also confirmed yet again the quality of hockey which India is capable of playing.

Giving the two bright colts, Gagan Ajit Singh and Deepak Thakur a chance to prove their worth was, according to Baskaran, a part of tactic. In the shuffle, Dhanraj found a place in the mid-field , which was without Mohammad Riaz. Dhanraj joined the attack only when he had a chance to break in. And this he did a number of times, giving the Spanish defence a lot to worry. Everytime when Dhanraj intercepted a long pass and surged ahead, there was some action. In fact, Dhanraj was in the thick of it after Dhillon put Gagan Ajit Singh on the move. In the scrimmage for the ball inside the circle Dhanraj was obstructed by Raman Sala leading to a stroke. The crowd went into raptures when Baljit Singh Dhillon flicked the ball to the top of the net for the lead.

Dhillon was in splendid form, sallying from the left repeatedly, showing ball control and body dodges. There was noticeable improvement in the work of Ramandeep Singh at left half. The pair combined well to create quite a few openings. If Gagan and Deepak been a bit more opportunistic they could have made the match memorable for them. Another player who deserves accolades in the mid-field was Thirumal. Both in interceptions and passing, he was prominent. Baljit Singh Saini, as always, played his part to perfection. The deep defence was steady with Dinesh Nayak standing firm. Goal-keeper Jude Menezes effected some excellent saves.

The three man Spanish attack of, Juan Escarre, Pol Amat and Xaiver Arnau, was sharp to keep the defence under stress. Jan Dinares in mid-field and Raman Sala as sweeper played with assurance. Spain had seven penalty corners, scoring one out of them. Xavier Ribas produced an immaculate shot into the boards for the equaliser. Almost immediately came another shot by Edi Tubau, but goal-keeper Jude Menezes made an excellent save. In the closing minutes of the first half, India obtained its first penalty corner. Dilip Tirkey essayed a powerful hit and Raman Juffresa made a lovely save. But Tirkey was alert enough to wait for the rebound and smash the ball again into the net.

India led 2-1 at half time. A superb flick by Baljit Singh Dhillon from a penalty corner enlarged the lead. Desperate and in the mood for an all round attack, the Spaniards came in waves. The defence survived some anxious moments. Jude Menezes relieved a bit of tension with neat saves. However, Pep Sanchez narrowed the margin making capital out of Edi Tubau's solitary move.

Spain had more than 20 minutes left in the match as pressure on the defence escalated. Amidst this, India had a glorious chance when Deepak Thakur put Mukesh through. After covering a good deal of distance Mukesh passed the ball to the unmarked Dhanraj, whose shot was stopped by goal-keeper Ramon Juffresa.

If India ensures a place in the semi-final it will be after 28 years, the last at Munich in 1972. Though India won a gold at Moscow in 1980, the competition was played in a round robin system, the top two fighting for the gold.

Immensely pleased, coach Baskaran, in the post-match press conference, agreed the last match against Poland should not be taken lightly as the latter had some impressive performances here. He admitted a few flaws and added he would concentrate on eliminating them in the next two rest days. Manager Mr.K.Jothikumaran said he was happy at the outcome and wished the players maitanined the same frame of mind in the next to meet the hopes and aspirations of thousands back home.

Malaysia's finest hour in Olympic hockey history was extinguished into a long years of agony when Pakistan's Sohail Abbas flicked in a penalty corner 39 seconds before the hooter for a draw. Pakistan trailed Malaysia twice in the match. It was, in every sense, a moral victory for Malaysia, who played an admirable brand of hockey, defence and attack coming in the right amalgam.

Pakistan's frontline was rendered innocuous by the excellent work in the defence by Gopinathan and Jiwa Mohan. Goal- keeper Nasihin Ibrahim should be singled out for special praise for the manner in which he faced the fierce penalty corners from Sohail Abbas.

The hero of Malaysia's display was Suhaimi Ibrahim, who scored both the goals with a touch of class. Mirnawan Nawawi, arguably the best player produced by that country, helped Irabhim put the team ahead midway through. Atif Bashir restored parity as the squads returned to the dressing room for the break. Malaysia's moment with history came again eight minutes before the hooter when Kuhen Shanmuganathan paved the way for Suhaimi Ibrahim score from a penalty corner. Everything looked lost for Pakistan as it struggled in the final minutes with two penalty corners. But the one fron 39 seconds to sent Malaysia's dream disintegrating.

Australia was lucky to stay on course against an inspired Argentina, which scored first after a goal-less first half through Jorge Lombi. The Aussies, who had 10 penalty corners recovered to equalise through Daniel Sproule and Mike Brennen produced the match winner in the closing minutes. Australia has eight points in four matches. It has match against Korea.

In the light of the drawn verdict involving the defending champion, Netherlands and Germany, Pakistan must beat the holder to find a place in the semi-final from Pool A. Both Netherlands and Germany have eight points each with Pakistan at six. Teun de Nooijer scored both the goals for Netherlands, while Michel Bjorn and Ulrich Moissl netted for Germany. All the four goals came in the first half.

Standings after Saturday's matches: Men: Group B: Australia 4 2 2 0 10-5 8 ; India 4 2 1 1 8-6 7; South Korea 3 1 2 0 5-3 5 ; Poland 3 1 1 1 9-10 4 ; Argentina 4 0 2 2 8-12 2 ; Spain 4 0 2 2 6-10 2 .

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