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Korea stun Netherlands
World Cup Diary |
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Germany make light work of NZ
Argentina down spirited Canada
‘Comeback was the toughest phase’
Kapil inducted in ICC Hall of Fame
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Korea stun Netherlands
New Delhi, March 9 Korea equalled the Dutch tally of 10 points, but the three-time world champions had a goal difference of 15 for and five against going into this match, and Korea needed to win by a margin of at least 3 goals to 1 as they had a pre-game goal ratio of 16-8 (minus three). In the end, Holland sailed into the semis by the skin of their teeth as the second team, behind defending champions Germany. In hindsight, Holland's clean 3-0 and 6-0 wins over Argentina and Canada respectively turned out to be decisive. Korea, on the other hand, had conceded goals in all their five matches, and even a 9-2 victory against Canada could not help them in the final analysis. Yet, the Korean victory over Holland would rank as one of the finest witnessed in this championship. The fast-moving Koreans, with their pleasing passes, brilliant trapping and hustling play inside the circle, had the Netherlands all knotted up. To confound the woes of the Dutch, the three penalty corners they earned were negatived by the television umpire when the Koreans asked for referrals. One of the Dutch penalty corners came at the stroke of full time, and with the Korean plea being upheld by the television umpire yet again, the Dutch had to accept the fact that they suffered their first defeat after three wins on the trot and one draw. But for Rob Recker's fast interceptions and quick dispossesion of the Koreans inside the circle and in the midfield, the Asian champions would have slotted in more than two goals, and spoilt the party for the Dutch. Recker was awarded the man of the match prize for his splendid display, but the Korean performance was something to be savoured for long, and a great advertisement for fast and furious hockey--the kind of game the Europeans play, particularly the Dutch are adept at. Holland meant business from the outset, and a blinding move saw Ronald Brouwer finding the target in the second minute. The goal only steeled the Koreans' resolve to go all out and despite many a baulked move, they earned their first penalty corner in the 30th minute, and Hyun Woo Nam's drag flick zipped in like a bullet to level the score before half time. In the second half, Korea used the flanks and midfield to mount sallies at the Dutch goal to put tremendous pressure and their efforts bore fruit when captain Jong Ho Seo slotted into an empty goal a cross from Hyo Sik You. After Korea took a 2-1 lead, the Netherlands, guided by their captain Teun de Nooijer, time and again attacked the Korean goal. Thrice the on-field umpire whistled for penalty corners, but the Koreans asked for referrals, and on all the three occasions, the Korean appeal was upheld. But still, luck did not hold them, and they finished third in the group, to fight for fifth-sixth positions.
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World Cup Diary
Major Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium, the venue of the ongoing 12th World Cup Hockey Tournament, has been a mute spectator to India’s emergence and growth as a host of major sporting events. When India offered to host the inaugural Asian Games in 1951, this Stadium was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and dedicated to the nation.
Since hockey was not a part of the 1951 Asian Games, national Stadium was used for both opening and closing ceremonies and holding of track and field events. It had been a venue of many an international events, including the 1982 Asian Games and Indira Gandhi Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, both for men and women. Renovated and upgraded at a whopping cost of Rs 266 crore, it retains the front portion as “Heritage Building”. Stands have come closer to the playfield. Seating has been reduced from 30,000 to less than 20,000. Besides, three new synthetic pitches have been laid to meet FIH norms. The second pitch is a competition pitch while the third is a practice or warm up pitch. For the ongoing World Cup only the central pitch has been put to use. It has been fitted with a huge plasma screen and two electronic scoreboards on either side of the playfield. Formally dedicated to the nation on January 24 this year, complaints of poor workmanship, inadequate facilities and complaints of use of substandard material in the construction have already started coming in. Authorities may be claiming it to be state-of-the-art complex, but in reality it does not even meet standards of antiquated complexes. The media box, for example, has no permanent electrical fittings for scribes to use their computers, laptops and other electronic gadgets. Loose wires and temporary connections provided to energise their machines can be dangerous. Even lighting of the media box is inadequate. Movement of journalists inside the media box is cumbersome and difficult with hardly any leg space. Antiquated wooden tables, unsafe for keeping and using costly electronic gadgets, have been provided. There are no television sets in the media box and scribes cannot view a replay of an action in case they had missed noticing finer points of a move or a close finish of a goal. So what is the state-of-art innovation in the media box, only SAI people can tell. The media centre and the media lounge located in the basement of the heritage portion of the stadium has no signal for mobile telephones to remain functional there. The media lounge can at best seat about 30 people. There is no TV in the media lounge also. Two plasma screens have been provided in the media centre. Toilets in the media block have already started stinking. Because of some technical problem in fixing the sanitary fittings, one has virtually to stand over one’s own excreta while urinating here. Lockers in the media centre are antiquated steel boxes that need external locks. Perhaps the planners and builders mixed antiquity with modernity to call it a state-of-art complex. Facilities do not reflect the huge amount of money spent on its renovation and upgradation. |
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Germany make light work of NZ
The Germans were still relying on some permutations to make it to the semis, but they confined the number game, to the waste bin with a clinical 5-2 win over New Zealand. The Germans dominated the game from the opening seconds.
In the 9thminute, a dangerous deflection by Christoph Menke was well saved by Kiwi goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex. Then Matthias Witthaus shot wide off the rebound, but it was clear that the Germans were craving for first blood. New Zealand were looking to break free of the stranglehold, but then in the 15thminute, Christoph Menke received a beautiful cross from Florian Fuchs from the left wing, and dived ahead to deflect the ball high under the roof of Pontifex’s goal. It was a beautifully worked goal, which had the German superiority stamped all over it. The Kiwis’ frontline was rather non-existent and only young Nicholas Wilson made any impression. Then again in the 28th minute, the Germans won a penalty corner and this time though Pontifex made a decent save from the direct shot, Florian Fuchs was at hand to finish off from the rebound and take his tally of goals to four in the World Cup. The Germans went in for the breather with a complete grip over the match and also a two goal lead. The second half was expected to be a mere formality, but the Kiwis flickered once before being blown away towards the end of the stipulated 70 minutes. Although the Germans stretched their lead when Philip Witte went in for a powerful cross from Jan Philipp Rabente from the top of the Kiwi circle, but the Black Sticks hit back with two goals in quick succession. First it was Shea McAleese who scored, off a deflected shot from Andrew Hayward, to push the ball past Tim Jessulat to make it 3-1. Then within three minutes, Nicholas Wilson capitalised on a lost ball in the midfield, and then in sublime fashion beat the German custodian. A Kiwi comeback looked possible at 3-2, but the Germans had other plans. A superbly worked penalty corner by Jan-Marco Montag set up Moritz Furste, who pushed the ball into bottom right corner of the goal to make it 4-2 in the 63rdminute. Then in the 64th minute Matthias Witthaus scored from a rebound off Maximillian Muller’s shot to make it 5-2. The Germans held on to the three-goal lead and marched into the semis for a record 11th time. The Kiwis on the other hand are likely to play India for the 7-8thposition, unless Argentina beat Canada. In that scenario, Argentina will play India and the Kiwis will fight it out for the 9-10th position.
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Argentina down spirited Canada New Delhi, March 9 Argentina opened the scoring when Lucas Vila scored in the 29th minute off a penalty corner. Vila took the rebound and hammered the ball into the bottom left corner of the Canadian goal. The rest of the first half was fought for on an even keel and the teams went in for the breather with Argentina in the lead. The second half saw Argentina further their lead when Matias Paredes and Mario Almada scored in the 43rd and 56th minutes, respectively. It was looking like the South Americans would run away with the game, but just then Canada struck back with two goals from Scott Tupper and David Jameson. The game was getting tense and for once Canada started making forward runs. The closing stages were filled with some nail-biting moments as both teams felt the heat of the running clock. But just then Tomas Argento Innocente scored in the dying seconds to settle the final score at 2-4 and with it some Argentine nerves. Argentina now play India in the final 7-8. New Zealand play South Africa for 9th place and Canada take on Pakistan for the Final 11-12 position.
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‘Comeback was the toughest phase’
Chandigarh, March 9 Q: How do you view your present form? A: I had picked up a hamstring injury during the Bangladesh tour, but I am fully fit now. I was out of rhythm in the ODIs against South Africa, but has been bowling well in the Test matches. Bowling here on the practice pitch has been satisfactory and it is just a matter of time before i get back to my best again. Q: How has the preparation been for IPL? A: In T20 especially, you can never predict as complexion of the game can change any minute. I have been concentrating to improve my consistency to bowl in the right areas. It’s going to be fun and a lot of hard work and i am rearing to go. Q: Irfan Pathan said your comeback inspired him. Your views about it? A: Sitting out of the team is not easy and the 18 months I took to stage my comeback were the toughest. My county stint helped me a lot. I just worked hard like everybody does and i consider myself lucky that i could prove myself again. I look forward to do well in IPL also. Q: How do you view Kings XI’s chances this time? A: We have the potential and if we play to our best, we will certainly go the distance. We won ten games in a row in the first IPL, though were unlucky in the semifinals. We are determined to better that this time. Q: Will change of guard at the Kings XI have any effect? A: It is a team game and the captain is there for the toss only. What matters is how we play as a group. Sanga’s experience with the Sri Lankan team will certainly be helpful. Q: Do injuries to Lee and Irfan put you under pressure? A: Not at all. I am no more a 19-year-old playing for India. This is my third year in the IPL. I would love to lead the attack whenever i am asked to. Q: What about security issue in IPl? A: I don not think there is anything in it. We have been travelling to different places and there is enough protection. Nobody should have any doubt about the security here. Q: Your views about new crop of bowlers? A: We have a talented bunch of fast bowlers coming up. Tyagi, for instance is a very hard working. With the likes of Zaheer, Nehra, and Irfan around to guide them, they are bound to grow.
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Kapil inducted in ICC Hall of Fame
Dubai, March 9 The Hall of Fame, run in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), recognises some of the legends of the game. “I am proud and happy to have been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and it’s amazing to think that I have been picked as one of the greats of Indian cricket,” Kapil said. “I am delighted to have been named alongside so many great players of the game but for me, when I was growing up, the man I always looked up to was Sunil Gavaskar from the moment I started playing cricket. Now to be named also alongside greats of the game such as Clive Lloyd, Richard Hadlee and Wasim Akram it truly fantastic,” he said. Born on January 6, 1959 in Chandigarh, Kapil played in 131 Test matches and 225 ODIs in an international career that spanned 16 years. He made his ODI debut in 1978 against Pakistan in Quetta while his Test debut came two weeks later in Faisalabad against the same opposition. Kapil is considered one of the greatest pace bowlers India has produced besides being the country's finest bowling all-rounder. He took a remarkable 434 Test wickets and 253 ODI wickets. In 1994, he became the leading wicket-taker in Tests when he overtook Richard Hadlee, a record that was eventually broken by West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh. In 1988 he leapfrogged another West Indies fast bowler, Joel Garner, to become the most successful bowler in ODIs, a record he held until 1994 when his tally of 253 wickets was passed by Wasim Akram. Kapil’s best bowling figures in a Test match were 11-146 against Pakistan in Chennai in 1980 while in ODIs his best match figures came in the group stage of the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup when he took 5-43 against Australia. — PTI
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New Delhi, March 9
New Delhi, March 9
