M A I N   N E W S

India defeat Spain 3-2

SYDNEY, Sept 23 (UNI) — Looking for an Olympic hockey medal after 20 years, India kept their hopes alive for a semifinal berth beating Spain 3-2 in a nerve-wracking pool ‘B’ encounter here today.

For the winners, Baljit Singh Dhillon scored two goals (26th and 43rd minutes) and Dilip Tirkey one (35th) while Xavier Ribas (22nd) and Pep Sanchez (48th) netted for the losers during the 70-minute edge-of-the-seat match. India led 2-1 at half time.

With today’s defeat, “Atlanta Olympics and World Cup runners-up Spain crashed out of contention with only two points from four outings. India now have seven points from four matches and play their last pool ‘B’ league fixture against Poland.

“We played to the plan, every player performed the task assigned to him very well. We attacked throughout which paid dividends,” a visibly elated coach V Baskaran said after the gruelling encounter in which stakes were high for both the teams.

In the match, played at a furious pace, the Indians delighted the big crowd with some superb stickwork but came under tremendous pressure at the fag end to hold on to the lead. Goalkeeper Jude Menezes again came to the rescue of the team with some sterling saves.

The Indians played an open game and maintained the pace throughout surprising their European rivals. The Spanish strategy was to tire out the Indians by playing fast and hard. But egged on by the aspiration for a medal, India looked a totally transformed side. The Asian Games champions matched every move of the Spaniards.

The defence, manned by Dilip Tirkey and Dinesh Nayak, got able support from skipper Ramandeep Singh, who once again donned the role of sweeper back. Jude Menezes at the goal was simply outstanding and virtually stood between Spain and victory.

The Indians launched most of their attacks in the first session from the right flank. In the seventh minute, Pillay ran into the rival circle but held on to the ball for a bit too long and Spanish defenders managed to ward off the danger.

The match was a virtual replay of the Games at Atlanta where India had defeated Spain 3-1 though Spain went on to claim the silver while the Indians finished a poor eighth.

The trio of Mukesh, Pillay and Dhillon repeatedly made forays from the right flank and the Spanish defenders looked a harassed lot.

Against the run of play, Selvaraj once went up on the left flank and darted past a defender to relay the ball to unmarked Sameer Dad whose rasping shot was well saved by experienced custodian Ramon Jufresa playing in his 159th international.

The Indians achieved the breakthrough when Baljit Dhillon sent a measured cross to Gagan Ajit Singh who, in turn, relayed it to Pillay but the mercurial forward was fouled by a defender and the goalkeeper squatted on the ball. Umpire Suresh Putra of Canada awarded a stroke to India. Baljit Dhillon made no mistake in converting it as he scooped the ball high into the net (1-0).

The Indian goal survived very narrowly when in the 26th minute Edi Tubau made a solo attack and caught the defenders off guard but he could not beat Jude Menezs who brought off a spectacular save.

Moments before the breather, Pillay again made a tearaway move which fetched India their first penalty corner. Dilip Tirkey’s shot was blocked by Ramon Jufresa but the Indian defender displayed a lightening reflex to latch on to the ball on the rebound and shot home (2-1) to put India into the lead again (2-1).

Spain were on the attack as the second session opened with Amat, Xavi Arnau, Pep Sanchez and Juan Escarre stationed near the Indian goal. The Indian defenders were hard pressed and very nearly conceded the goal but some how the ball went out and they survived.

The Indians countered in the 43rd minute and earned their second and the last penalty corner. This time Dhillon took over from Tirkey and with a powerful scoop sent the ball home (3-1).

The Spainards had total control of the midfield and began dictating the proceedings. They made some good moves but just could not beat Jude Menezes under the bar.

Pool A

Netherlands    4 2 2 0 11-6 8

Germany        4 2 2 0 6-4 8

Pakistan         4 1 3 0 13-6 6

Malaysia         4 0 3 1 4-5 3

Canada           3 0 1 2 5-9 1

Britain             3 0 1 2 5-14 1

Pool 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