| |
Feb
7
Written by:
Sundeep Misra
Saturday, February 07, 2009
India 3 New Zealand 2
India’s entry into the Punjab Gold Cup final was assured when Holland beat Germany 7-1 but the Indians would be happy with their clean 3-2 win over New Zealand that takes them into the final and their third encounter with Holland. The earlier two finished in draws; the first was a 4-4 thriller and then they again drew 2-2.
Holland’s form is ominous but the worry for India lies in the in-consistency of their midfield and the fragility of the defence. Against New Zealand, they were like a leaking ship; the Kiwis puncturing holes at will, weaving in and out of the Indian defence, especially in the second half. Dilip Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, Vinay and later Raghunath were being beaten at will. Sandeep had a torrid time till Raghunath replaced him. Eight penalty corners for New Zealand tell a story that the scoreboard hides. India had no penalty corners; the creativity in the forward line was like a kid being told to make a Picasso.
But the worry for India lies in its slow midfield. Ignace Tirkey, Prabodh and Vinay were just not willing to take the middle route, New Zealand’s weakest link in the match. And whenever Prabjoth Singh raced through the middle, the Kiwis looked vulnerable.
India have a day to rectify the issues and look towards dominating Holland with some aggressive play but the cue has to come from the midfield which at the moment is like a cannon that has caught a bit of flu.
India took the lead in the 5th minute when a Prabodh Tirkey pass saw a skirmish inside the Kiwi striking circle. Rajpal picked up the loose ball and tapped it in.
New Zealand regrouped and made use of the space in the midfield. Time and again they exploited the lack of pace in the Indian half and earned penalty corners. Luck and Adrian D’Souza saved India the blushes.
But the Kiwis got the equalizer in the 41st minute when Simon Child connected perfectly.
India was back with the lead in the 56th minute when Sunil counter-attacked and Rajpal darted into tap the ball goalwards.
The Kiwis still built up the attacks and earned a penalty corner in the 63rd minute which Petherick flicked high and out of reach of Adrian for the equalizer.
With just two minutes left in the match, Ignace got a rebound in the Kiwi striking circle, missed with his first hit, reversed the ball again and struck it beautifully past the Kiwi goalkeeper.
In the match, Vikram Pillay, Deepak Thakur and goalkeeper Baljit Singh were rested and one hopes that Monday would see a hungry Indian side line up against the Dutch. After the depression of 2008, a place in the Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup final is a step in the right direction.
Tags:
5 comment(s) so far...
Re: India beat New Zealand, enter final
Our games against Germany ( not their best team ) and NZ has exposed our weak defense. Harendra and the think tank have some time to bolster it before the W cup. Did anyone video tape the Germans ? Their methodical game should be compulsory viewing for all our players, sub juniors, juniors and seniors.
By Nikhilesh c roy on
Monday, February 09, 2009
|
Re: India beat New Zealand, enter final
Sundeep, is this the resurgance of Indian Hockey? I hope the intrigues in the management does not restrict the talented players to shine at the international scene.The forward line is looking good with Prabbhjot, Thakur, Rajpal, Shivender, and Tushar. The midfield looks very docile. India need Sardara desperately in the midfield. Defense needs fresh blood but Blaljeet is outstanding. Keep it up ... wish we could watch it on the web. Regards, Arvind
By Arvind Singh on
Monday, February 09, 2009
|
Re: India beat New Zealand, enter final
1. Our defense especially Sandeep Singh is very very shaky. Though Baljeet was brilliant, but Sandeep is just not fit to be in the defense since time and again he has been found wanting with his poor tackling. We know that Sandeep is in the team because of his skills on penalty coner conversions. But he hasn't been upto the mark on this parameter too. Somewhere he should have made up for his poor defensive skills. 2. Gurbaj Singh in midfield is a livewire. Rest of the palyers in midfield are not in sync. India needs to get back Sardara Singh in the midfield. With the hardworking and energetic Sardara Singh back, Indian midfield is bound to become stronger.3. Shivender is just brilliant in attack but the guy needs support from midfield and others. The forwardline has to time and again fall back to protect the weaknesses in the defence. Dimpy alias Deepak Thakur is really required in the foward line. It is unfortunate that he is out with an injury. Overall the team is good but there is room for new changes in the Indian team. I hope our Indian team wins the "Punjab Gold Cup" by beating Holland. Somewehere I have a feeling that we would play brilliantly today evening in the finals.
By Surjeet Singh Bal on
Monday, February 09, 2009
|
Re: India beat New Zealand, enter final
Give your best to beat Holland in the final.Yes ,We have certain problems in defence but I am confident that it will get resolved within coming times and be well prepared for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.It would be nice to see the penalty corners getting converted into Goals by our players.
By Sunil Joshi on
Monday, February 09, 2009
|
Re: India beat New Zealand, enter final
It's wonderful to see India doing so well in this tournament.The opponents are very strong but India is up to the task. All the very best India. Chak de !!
By Vishal on
Monday, February 09, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|