India beat Japan to stay alive

Kuldeep Singh

India went through several anxious moments before getting the better of Japan 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the men's hockey World Cup as also making it to the semi-finals of the ongoing qualifier, at the Peffermill stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Tuesday evening.

A goal in each half by defender Dilip Tirkey from penalty-corners gave them their first points in the classification stage, after a 3-5 loss to Argentina in their opening match of the stage.

It seems this Indian side has forgotten how to score field goals. Most of their goals in the qualifier have come from penalty-corners. Against Japan too, they made all the play and should have won handsomely but their forwards, particularly skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon, were unable to score even when ideally placed.

India started the match with Devesh Chauhan in goal but the keeper was not called up to do anything out of the ordinary as Kanwalpreet Singh and Dilip Tirkey were rather sound in defence.

India should have forged ahead in the 18th minute, but Baljit Singh Dhillon shot wide after beating Japanese keeper Takahashi.

However, the skipper made amends for his lapse by paving the way for a penalty-corner, India's first. Dilip Tirkey found the mark with a stiff shot to put India ahead.

Thereafter, exchanges were restricted to midfield. With Japan content to play in their half and look for fast breaks, the Indians found it difficult to made inroads into a crowded Japanese circle.

Immediately on resumption in the second session, India had a chance to increase the lead, but Baljit Singh Dhillon, after stealing the ball and breaking into the circle, failed to beat Japanese 'keeper Takahashi, who came up with a good save.

A minute later, Chauhan did well to bring off two quick saves from stiff shots by Iwadate and Yamabori following counter attacks.

India's sustained pressure paid off in the 54th minute. Prabhjot Singh and Daljit Singh Dhillon, with a quick passing bout, worked their way into the Jap circle only for the latter to be fouled. Off the resultant penalty-corner, Tirkey sounded the board with a rasping shot.

Four minutes later came another chance for the Indians to consolidate but Bimal Lakra, after being put in posession by Thirumalvalavan, had the mortification of seeing his shot saved by the 'keeper.

In the latter part if the match, the Indians tended to defend and they were fortunate that the Japanese were unable to take advantage of their their folly.

After two rounds of matches, Argentina lead Pool F with six points, followed by India, with four. Poland and Japan have a point each. India meet Poland on Wednesday in the last match of the pool, which will decide which team joins Argentina in the last four stage.

Earlier, in Pool E, Spain got the better of New Zealand 3-1 for their first victory from two matches in the pool.

The Spaniards forged ahead in the fourth minute from a penalty-corner, Francisco Fabregas finishing on a rebound with a nice reverse stick shot after Jordi Quintana's hit was deflected to the post by goalkeeper Paul Woodford.

The Kiwis thereafter pressed hard for the equaliser and forced five penalty-corners but were forced to cross over a goal in arreras.

In the second session, Spain went 2-0 up within three minutes on resumption from a swift counter attack. Eduard Arnau broke into the circle from the left and beat the keeper with a reverse shot.

The Kiwis, who impressed in the preliminary league, went on a feverish search for a reply to those two goals and were rewarded for their perseverance with a penalty-corner goal in the 55th minute. From an indirect variation, Ryan Archibald pushed from the line, accepted a return ball and pushed home to take Spanish goalkeeper Bernardino Herrara by surprise.

However, Qunitana put the issue beyond doubt for Spain, flicking home from a penalty-corner in the 62nd minute.

The victory put Spain on level terms with Belgium, with four points. Wednesday's matches will decide which of the four teams in Pool E go through to the semi-finals.

In other matches of the day, Egypt and Chile played out a thrilling 3-3 draw after being locked 1-1 at the breather, in Pool H, while Wales held on to a first half goal to beat Scotland 1-0.

Monday's report