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Hockey
By S. Thyagarajan
Pakistan players confront Baljit Singh Dhillon in an incident, which saw the Indian sent off in their round-robin match in Sydney on Saturday. Though the match was drawn, India advanced to the final against Australia. — AFP
India 4 -- Pakistan 4 Australia 3 -- Australia 'A' 3
In what can be etched in the annals of hockey history as a contest that underscored the essence of competitive play laced in an emotional drama, which mirrored the ingredients of fluctuating fortunes, Pakistan rallied from 1-3 at half time and 2-4 midway through to share honours in the men's challenge at the Sydney International Stadium this afternoon. The verdict however was enough for India to challenge Australia in the final again tomorrow. What compounded the tragedy for India, which played superbly throughout, was the redcard suspension imposed on Baljit Singh Dhillon for the scrap he got involved with Dilawar Hussain. This occurred within five minutes into the second half when Pakistan slotted a lovely goal from Sbahbir Hussain off a long cross from Rehan Bhat. India still was ahead 3-2. Alarmingly, it looked as though the fisticuffs among the players would take an ugly turn as more and more joined the chaos near the Paksitan's 25 yard line. Adam Kearns, the Aussie umpire who flourished the red card to Dhillon and the yellow at Ali Raza, along with the other Tim Pullman, had to caution both the captains to maintain order on the field. The red card verdict really broke the rhythm of the Indian team which had to play over 30 minutes in the second half with 10 men. Otherwise, it was a symphony that the Indian supporters enjoyed minute by minute. Imagine the sequence with India leading 2-0 within seven minutes from play and dominating in the rival area. Imagine too that both the goals were scored by Baljit Dhillon, the first from a penalty stroke, and other from a scintillating solo effort. Almost everything worked for India impeccably with the mid-field holding on and the defence looking assured.
Dhillon shines
If Dhillon was the cynosure of all eyes for netting two goals, Dhanraj Pillay cornered attention in equal measure. In fact, it was Dhanraj's fluent run that forced Adnan Maqsood go in for a desperate tackle leading to a stroke. Dhillon made no mistake. And within a minute came the beauty from Dhillon and India was riding the crest of a wave. Unfazed by the lead, the Pakistanis attacked with ardour, keen on finding the openings. Pivot Saqlain played a prominent role throughout in that zone. Mudassar Khan and Shabir troubled the tight rival defence where Viren Resquinha was conspicuous. But Pakistan came back into the match with Ali Raza finding the net from a penalty corner. Another attempt by Pakistan's Ghazanfar Ali beat Devesh Chauhan but Kanwalpreet Singh came in the way. Umpire Adams showed the spot but Ghanzafar Ali's penalty flick was saved confidently by goal-keeper Devesh Chauhan. But before half-time India hoisted the third goal which was spectacular both for its conception and execution. Baljit Singh Saini, who shone in this match by his experience and expertise, picked up the ball from Bimal and went in tandem with Baljit Dhillon. Even as goal-keeper Ahmed Alam moved up to baulk the effort, the ball rolled and Prabhjot Singh tapped it in from a skirmish in front of the goal. The Pakistanis were aware that reduced to 10, India was vulnerable to pressure tactics, and so it showed in the light of the fact that Pakistan netted three goals in this half. India however ventured into the attack at every turn. A withering backhander by Prabhjot Singh was stopped by goal-keeker Ahmed Alam. And what more, India enlarged the margin from the first penalty corner it forced midway in the second half. Dilip Tirkey's whiplash of a shot bounced off Ahmed Alam's pads. Prabhjot had a try which again rebounded but Jugraj jabbed in the lead, which at 4-2 looked unassailable. More than a quarter of an hour was left at this point, and Pakistan, rightly so, adopted the now-or-never attitude. Pushing up the pace to break the Indian defence, the frontline punched its way through. Taushif Jawaad scored a peach of a goal hooking on to a long drive. This was the moment that Paksitan was waiting for. And when it surfaced, the players knew they had the time left to fight it out. And they fought like men possessed. Devesh Chauhan who had injured his forearm in the earlier penalty corner exercise was replaced by Kamaldeep Singh, He was under tremendous pressure with the Pakistanis hovering around the post. However, Kanwal made a great save from a penalty corner hit by Ghazanfar Ali to keep the lead intact. But when 10 minutes remained the defence was caught off guard by a well angled long cross by Ghanzafar Ali, and Shabir Hussain slammed the equaliser on the run amidst thunderous cheers from the Paksitani supporters. Will it be a repeat of the medal match in Cologne where India frittered away the lead to lose in the end? The question suddenly popped up as India struggled to keep the Pakinstani frontliners under check. The threat of Pakistan scoring the match-winner was real till the hooter sounded. While it should be conceded that India was disadvantaged by the red card suspension to Baljit Dhillon, the question why Sandeep Michael was not tried when Mukesh Kumar was injected more than once into the attack as a substitute for Pillay or even persisting with Gagan Ajit Singh almost throughout remains unanswered. The defensive strategy in the last quarter was not framed to contain the rival attack, and there were far too many errors in the mid-field. The usually dependable Bimal Lakra was somewhat subdued, but it was Saini who was the livewire in the mid-field this afternoon. There may be consolation that India confirmed its place in the final again with two points — one point each in drawn games — but the players needlessly pressed the panic button after Dhillon left the scene to let go a great advantage. It was clear that the coaches also panicked, and showed no ingenuity to keep the team on the side of victory when the team confronted with an unprecedent challenge to play 30-odd minutes with 10. How they will handle a more organised unit as Australia in the final tomorrow remains to be seen. There is a question mark over the eligibility of Dhillon to figure in the team tomorrow. Australia played a relaxed game to share six goals with the A after being 1-1 at half-time. Jaime Dwyer (2) and Adam Commens scored for Australia, while Onitiri, and Grant Schubert (2) netted for the A team. Sunday's matches (IST): Australia `A' v Pakistan (8.30 a.m.); Final: Australia v India (10.30 a.m.).
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