The Hindu : On to tougher turfs of the European kind

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 27, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

On to tougher turfs of the European kind

By S. Thyagarajan

Hamburg June 26. Buoyed by the string of striking performances in Australia only a fortnight ago, India steps into a far tougher zone of competition on Friday in the Masters tournament at the famous Ulhenhorster Hockey Club.

Quite predictably, expectations are high and everyone in the squad is alive to the fact and geared up to save or even enhance the team's image that has got a fillip by the recent triumph against Australia at Sydney.

What invests this tournament with more than the ordinary significance, as part of the preparations for the Athens Olympiad, is the fact that here India faces a totally different dimension of hockey. At Perth and Sydney, India faced Pakistan and Australia, who more or less presented an Asian synthesis, however modified, corrupt and structured it may be. There are similarities in the systematisation and style employed by the Pakistanis and the Aussies within the 2-3-5 format.

In the Masters here, against two European outfits and a South American champion--whose concept is also patterned on demonstration of power, precision and proficiency--the Indians are bound to face a contrasting situation. The strategy therefore has to be redefined to meet the extraordinary pace, set pieces and emphasis on defence--the virtues of European hockey. Further tightening of the mid-field is a must without losing sight of the need to keep the flanks open and pressure the rival defence. This is easier said than done in the light of the lapses seen during the final stages of the matches, which cost the team dear in Australia.

The mid-field and deep defence definitely look more assured and competent to meet this demand although it remains to be seen how effective they can be in the face of the fluency of moves by Argentina in the opening match on Friday.

Both Dilip Tirkey and Kanwalpreet Singh exude confidence in their work as does the maverick, Jugraj Singh. The solidity displayed by pivot Bimal Lakra and wing half Ignace Tirkey again generate optimism against the background of good work put in by Viren Resquinha, Vikram Pillay and the seasoned Baljit Singh Saini. The consistency shown by Viren Resquinha in the area is a plus point.

Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Dhillon should evoke fear in the rival defence by their charming tactics. If the frontline manages to strike harmony early enough with Prabhjot Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh, Sandeep Micheal and Deepak Thakur showing their mettle, then even the renowned German defence can be conquered though it may sound a bit too optimistic when one looks up the record against Germany.

Against Germany, India has had a mere 14 wins in the 70 matches played so far with 36 losses and 20 drawn matches. And interestingly, India has never won against Germany in Hamburg, having lost three of the four played. The last India-Germany meeting was at the Cologne Champions Trophy last year where India lost 2-3.

When India locks horns with Argentina it will be their first meeting in this metropolis. India has a favourable record against Argentina, having won 19 of the 28 matches played against it so far. We have lost only seven matches against the Argentines. Their last meeting was in 2001 Champions Challenge at Kuala Lumpur where India won 2-1.

The same is the case against Spain against whom India has won 21 of the 39 meetings. And in its last meeting, India won 3-0 in the World Cup at Kuala Lumpur.

Germans are determined

Much water has flowed down the Rhine since all these events were recorded. Before the dawn of the Olympic year the scene will undoubtedly be recast. Germany, for instance, is fielding its best ever combination, packing it with tested and tried men. The defeat against Pakistan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in March has left a dent on the image of the World champion. The German coach, Bernhard Peters, is leaving nothing to chance in the year when the team has to face the rigours of a Champions Trophy at Amstelveen in August and the more important European Cup at Barcelona. The latter event determines who goes from Europe to Athens.

Goalkeeper Clemens Arnold, defenders Florian Kunz and Micheal Green, mid-fielders Christoph Bechmann, Philip Crone, and Bijorn Michel, attackers Sascha Reinalt, Mattihas Witthaus, and Christian Wein have been around for years on the scene. And more importantly, Germany is the defending champion here. At least 11 of 18 in the German squad have more than 100 international caps with goalkeeper Clemens Arnold slated to complete the century on Friday.

For all the economic problems back home, Argentina has shown the resilience to stay on top in competitive hockey. The women's team snatched the World Cup at Perth in December last. And the men's team ensured a berth for Champions Trophy at the last World Cup in Kuala Lumpur through some spectacular individual performances by Jorge Lombi and Mario Almeida.

Argentina here is again a very seasoned squad. Apart from Jorge Lombi, established names like Pablo Morreira (goal-keeper), Vila Matias, Carlos Retegui, Tomas McCormik, and Germain Orozaco figure in the team. Argentina was the runner-up in the last edition.

Spain, a new-look squad

The disastrous World Cup, which left Spain at spot 11 of the 16 on view, compelled the administration to overhaul the structure thoroughly. The master tactician, Maurits Hendriks, of the Netherlands was entrusted with the job of reconstruction. The result is a new-look squad. The only known face in the team is veteran Juan Escarre, the dangerous winger who was at his peak during the 1998 World Cup at Utrecht.

Hendriks is just testing the waters here and his goal would be a heart-warming show in front of the home audience at Barcelona, and also at the Olympic qualifier in Madrid, if Spain does not take the trophy at the European championships.

Launched in 1989 as Panasonic Cup event with a five-nation format, this prestigious competition is acquiring the status it deserves year after year. Germany has won eight of the seven championships conceding the lone title to Australia in 1993 ahead of Pakistan, the Netherlands and the host.

On the contrary, India's record has been dismal, it having finished last in all the three appearances from 1996 to 1998. Undeniably, India has to obliterate this odium in the wake of the euphoria following the show in Australia.

For every one of the four teams here, the Masters means something, which makes the competition an event worthy of notice by the international fraternity.

On Friday: India vs. Argentina (8 p.m. IST); Germany vs. Spain (10-15 p.m)

India holds Germany

India drew with Germany in an action packed contest, each team scoring twice, and Jugraj producing the equaliser for India in the final minutes in the one off Test at Duisburg on Wednesday.

India came off well in the first half, leading 1-0 till half time on a goal scored by Gagan Ajit Singh. The team had two penalty corners against the four by the Germans in this half.

After the break, Sascha Reinalt equalised and midway through Florin Kunz converted a penalty corner to put the Germans ahead. The Indians then began complaining against the umpiring decisions, especially the award of penalty corners by the Dutch umpire. In fact, the team walked out briefly protesting the decisions but was persuaded to continue by the German players, Flrian Kunz, Emmerling and Micheal Green. The team then returned for the remaining three minutes during which Jugraj pumped in the equaliser from a penalty corner.

Officials here concede that India played a splendid game in the first half but are a bit disappointed that there were periods in the match in which the Indians protested too much. It is learnt that some hot words were exchanged with the umpires and this certainly did not go down well with the officials.

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