— Photo: AP

ON TARGET: David Alegre (right), who scored Spain's first goal, celebrates with teammate Xavier Ribas during a Pool A match against New Zealandon Monday.

Monchengladbach: India once again succumbed in the last quarter, conceding the match-winner against Korea in a Pool B encounter in the hockey World Cup on Monday. This was India's third defeat in four matches with a match remaining against the Netherlands on Tuesday. Korea has taken its tally to 10 points.

Needlessly circumspect and defensive, the team could make only a few openings. Even then the forwards were not sharp enough in spite of the fact that the Korean defence did not perform that well. Frittering away the few chances, India had to go goalless in the first half.

Missed chances

A quick drive in by Shivender spelt danger but the shot missed the target by a hair's breadth. A combined thrust involving Gagan and Shivender failed to take off with Hariprasad placing himself in an awkward position.

Surprisingly phlegmatic, the Korean attack came to life only midway through. The stress was good enough to earn two penalty corners. Viren made a splendid save from the push by Jang Jong-Hyun. In the second penalty corner, Ignace Tirkey rushed out in time to check the Korean attacker.

The only penalty corner that India earned came close on half-time. A neat flick by Raghunath was, however, stopped by goalkeeper Ko Dong-Sik.

Shortly after the break came the goal for India from the video umpire. A long shot was deflected in by Shivender.

But thereafter the Indian defence was overrun by the Korean forays. As many as six penalty corners surfaced within 25 minutes. India withstood the pressure thanks to the good work by Ignace and Vikram.

Ten minutes from the end a penalty corner skirmish led referee Putra to award a penalty stroke, but he reversed the decision after consulting his colleague Xavier Adell.

Playing full court press Korea gained the equaliser when Jang Jong-Hyun converted the eighth penalty corner. After a splendid move between Rajpal and Shivendra almost ended in a penalty stroke, it was Korea's Jong-Hyun again who struck in the final minute.

Spain beats New Zealand

Spain slipped into a striking rhythm in demolishing New Zealand for an impressive 3-1 victory in Pool A in the hockey World Cup on Monday.

The pall of gloom that had descended on the Spanish camp after the 2-2 draw with Pakistan lifted as the team moved to the top of the table with eight points.

With a match remaining against Japan, Spain looks comfortably placed, while New Zealand, on seven points, suffered its first reverse in four matches. New Zealand's next opponent is Australia.

Efficient frontline

The gangling Pol Amat symbolised the efficacy of the frontline attack. Imaginative and incisive, he gave no respite to the Kiwi defence. It was one of his early sallies that fashioned the Spanish goal.

He wove through delectably but was met with stiff resistance from goalkeeper Woolford, who rendered two of the Spaniard's attempts futile. As the ball rolled loose in the circle, in came David Alegre to sound the boards.

Santi Friexa slammed in a corner midway through, and Spain went in for the break at 2-0. Minutes after resumption, Eduard Tubau netted to give Spain what looked a like formidable lead.

The Kiwis hit back when Hayden Shaw pumped in a penalty corner.

Koreans fumble

Late on Sunday, South Korea fumbled in the last quarter to surrender a 1-2 lead and allowed South Africa to escape with a draw in Pool B. A victory, which looked quite possible till the 24th minute of the second half, would have given Korea a bright chance to qualify for the semifinals.

Korea was in control for a major part but for the two mistakes that cost it dear. After Hyun Jong-Jang scored from a penalty corner, South Africa levelled through Lungile Tsolekile, the goal being decided by the video umpire.

Within minutes, Sik Hyo-You struck for Korea. However, with 11 minutes remaining, Norris moved in from the left and beat goalkeeper Ko Dong-Sik but Kim Chul made a goalline save. However, Wayne Madson sounded the boards off the rebound.

The results:

Pool A: Spain 3 (David Alegre, Santi Friexa, Eduard Tubau beat New Zealand 1 (Hayden Shaw); Australia 3 (Mike McCann, Troy Elder, Russel Ford) beat Japan 1 (Toshiaki Fakuda).

Pool B: South Korea 2 (Jang Jong-Hyun) beat India 1 (Shivender); South Korea 2 (Jang Jong-Hyun, Sik Hyo-You) drew with South Africa 2 (Lungile Tsolekile, Wayne Madson).

Tuesday's matches: New Zealand v Australia (5-30 p.m.); Argentina v Japan (7-30 p.m.); Germany v South Africa (9-30 p.m.); India v Netherlands (11-30 p.m.).

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail