New Zealand shock India

Kuldeep Singh

Late entrants New Zealand turned in a dogged display to down tournament favourites India by a solitay goal in Pool A in the men's World Cup hockey qualifier at the Peffermil stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Thursday.

In another match in the same pool, Wales came back from a 0-2 deficit to get the better of Egypt 3-2.

In Pool D, Canada held back a strong rally from the United States to win 4-2. Canada led 3-0 at half-time. Poland defeated Russia 3-1.

In Pool C, Spain whip Chile 9-0, while Japan edged Scotland 2-1.

The victory, their second in the league stage, following a 3-1 victory over Egypt on Wednesday, puts the Kiwis into the second round of the tournament.

The Indians, who should have won the match by at least half a dozen goals, will now have to beat Egypt -- and hope that New Zealand beat Wales -- in their concluding fixture of the pool to entertain any hopes of advancing in the 16-team competition, from which only seven qualify for the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in February-March 2002.

If Wednesday was one big tale of missed chances as India toiled to beat lowly Wales 2-1, Thursday was indeed even a bigger one. In a fast-paced encounter -- perhaps the best witnessed thus far in the competition -- India were clearly the better side, but some stout-hearted defending by the New Zealand defence and a brilliant display by their goalkeeper Michael Bevin prevented them from translating their superiority into goals. Bevin displayed feline reflexes as he repeatedly thwarted the India forwards, particularly in the second session, as they went all out for equaliser.

Twice in a spell of five minutes, eight minutes from the end, he saved what could have been three sure goals, as he padded efforts from skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon, Gagan Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh.

India's domination was such that goalkeeper Jude Menezes was seldom called upon to do anything out of the ordinary. They could have at least escaped with a draw but Prabjhot Singh squanderd the easist of chances in the dying moments of the game. From a quick passing bout between Dhillon and Baljit Singh Saini, the last-named found Prabjhot in the circle. The speedy forward had only goalkeeper Bevin to beat but hit wide.With that went India's best chance of finishing with an honourable draw. At least.

India forced two successive penalty-corners in 11th minute. Off the second, Dilip Tirkey's tremendous hit was well deflected by Dhillon. However goalkeeper Bevin did well save. Off the rebound, Dhillon had another try but the ball was celeared by the defence.

Two more penalty-corners came the Indians' way during the match -- just one in the second half -- but Tirkey hit wide.

New Zealand, who got a place in the qualifiers following the late withdrawal of Zimbabwe, got the all-important goal three minutes from half-time. It came much against the run of play from following their second penalty-corner. Midfielder Brett Leaver used the drag flick and sent the ball to the left of the post where Ryan Archibald threw himself forward to deflect the ball past a hapless Menezes.

The Kiwis got three more penalty-corners, in the 45th, 63rd and 67th minutes, and tried to use the same drag flick variation which fetched them the goal but were unsuccessful.

Wednesday's summary