India, Japan qualify for the hockey World Cup

Kuldeep Singh

India finally qualified for the 2002 hockey World Cup defeating Canada 2-1 at the Peffermil stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Saturday.

India had a dream start in the match. Early pressure by the Indians resulted in a goal in the fourth minute. Arjun Halappa worked his way into the circle and scored with a nice reverse hit into the top of the goal, which gave the Canadian goalkeeper Mike Mahood no chance.

India had the better of their Canadian opponents in the early going with Canada making far too many turnovers, though the Canadians were a little bit unlucky as Casey Ferguson hit the crossbar in the 19th minute.

At half-time, India still led by the solitary goal.

Soon after half-time the Indians struck again, with Bipin Fernandes scoring a superb goal off another reverse hit.

Canada fought back thereafter, abandoning their defensive style. Their goal came as a direct result of their fifth penalty corner. Following the penalty corner they got three consecutive penalty corners and captain Rob Short scored a great rebound goal of the pads of Jude Menezes.

With 13 minutes to go in the game, Canada were now within striking distance. India lost captain Baljit Singh Dhillon in the 61st minute when he had an argument with the referee and was promptly shown the yellow card.

Canada put India under some pressure, but were unable to capitalise on their one-man advantage. India qualified for the World Cup in 2002, but this victory had not come easy.

In an earlier match Japan also qualified for the 2002 World Cup defeating New Zealand by a golden goal.

Japan became the fifth team after Argentina, Spain, Belgium and Poland to qualify.

It will be first World Cup finals appearance since 1973 for the Japanese. New Zealand will now play in the match to decide the seventh and eighth positions on Sunday. The winner of that match will take the last spot in the World Cup.

Both Japan and New Zealand were goalless after the full 70 minutes of play. In extra time, Naohiko Tobita scored the golden goal in the 75th minute. A cross by Katayama in the circle was deflected by Tobita into the goal to give Japan passage into the World Cup.

Earlier on Friday, Spain surprised Poland 5-1 while Argentina got the better of Belgium 4-2 to enter the final.