The Hindu : MEG holds Tamil Nadu in stormy match

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 14, 2003

Sport

Sport - Hockey

MEG holds Tamil Nadu in stormy match

By Our Hockey Correspondent

Photo: Vino John

V. Raja of Tamil Nadu XI dives to send a cross past MEG's Bicksal Bhengra (left) which resulted in a goal in the MCC Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament in Chennai on Sunday.

Air India 1 IHF Juniors 0

Tamil Nadu 3 MEG 3

Chennai July 13. Identifying the qualifiers proved an interesting exercise to the big turn out, which enjoyed every minute of the fast paced hockey, especially involving the Tamil Nadu XI and MEG, Bangalore, in the Madras Cricket Club-Murugappa Gold Cup tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Sunday.

At the end of the day one set of quarterfinalists were spotted. Tamil Nadu, which drew MEG in a tempestuous match that even witnessed a red card suspension from umpire Satinder Sharma against the MEG skipper, Samson Fernandez, ended on top with a tally of four points in Pool A followed by Bhopal with three. MEG earned a solitary point out of the verdict on Sunday but put in a splendid performance recovering everytime after Tamil Nadu had struck.

Tamil Nadu will meet IHF Juniors while Air India meets Bhopal XI in the quarterfinals.

Every inch of space in the Grand Stand was filled up by enthusiasts who were treated to some excellent hockey, though marred by suspensions in the last 10 minutes. If the Tamil Nadu attack showed the finesse and fluency, MEG was forthright and attacked with vigour. The goal-keepers on both sides impressed, Natarajan for Tamil Nadu and Niyas for MEG effecting some splendid saves. For the home team, Adam Sinclair was the star, netting two goals while Radhakrishnan converted a penalty stroke.

Punching into the resistance offered by MEG, where Becksal Bhengra was prominent, Tamil Nadu hoisted the lead midway through. Fastening to a cross by Tirumal, Adam Sinclair darted in delectably and finished with a stinging shot from the top of the circle. The retaliation by MEG came in the form of a penalty corner, and a withering shot by Ranjit Bhengra was saved effortlessly by Natarajan.

But shortly after the break, MEG restored parity with a neat shot by Ranjit Bhengra from a penalty corner after Natarajan smartly padded the earlier effort. Pressing hard, Tamil Nadu surged ahead. Tirumal was again the creator and Prabhakaran developed the move. In a scrimmage before the post, Adam Sinclair tapped in. The joy that the lead produced amidst the supporters proved ephemeral with Bicksal Bhengra executing a fierce shot that left Natarajan helpless.

Thereafter, Tamil Nadu came up with a few quick sallies with Prabhakaran and Dixon playing a prominent role. A fine attempt by Prabhakaran ended with Bicksal Bhengra coming in the way, forcing umpire Satinder Sharma to show the spot. Skipper Radhakrishnan converted without fuss. It was at this juncture that voluble protests by Samson Fernandez drew the umpire's attention. Satinder showed the yellow, and while walking out, Samson Fernandez, tapped the umpire on the back of his head as though patting him for the penalty. Satinder, somewhat stunned by the gesture, flourished the red card. Later, Prabhakaran of Tamil Nadu and Maruthapandian of MEG were also shown the yellow card. Understandably, the last quarter proved an eye sore and left a bitter taste for a contest that produced some exhilarating hockey.

Reduced to nine, MEG, which forced 10 penalty corners - eight in the second half - achieved the equaliser through Ranjit Bhengra to walk out with some prestige restored by the solitary point. Tamil Nadu earned five penalty corners.

Academic though the interest was, a certain amount of intensity stood pronounced in the contest which went in favour of Air India. Both Air India and IHF Juniors had ensured a place in the quarterfinal from pool C after ONGC lost both its matches earlier. The focus centred around who among the two would take the top place and this was cornered by Air India which struck the match winner late in the second half.

For the IHF Juniors, it turned out to be a futile exercise in the end. Notwithstanding its pronounced superiority in the rival zone, the Juniors were woefully inadequate in translating the chances created. They forced as many as six penalty corners, four in the first half, but none fructified. On the contrary, Air India had only a lone penalty corner when 11 minutes remained for the hooter. Veteran striker Anil Aldrin produced an impeccable carpet drive to which Devinder Kumar merely put the stick to divert the course of the ball into the boards.

The hard work put in by skipper and mid-fielder Vivek Gupta and inside-forward Birendra Lakra went waste with the frontline showing no punch. Specks of rough play surfaced now and then but firm supervision by umpire Shakeel put everything under firm control. When a clash of sticks reverberated across the stadium, Shakeel flourished the yellow card at Air India's Madan Viswanathan.

The Juniors could have hit a goal or two if the penalty corner exercises were perfect. The hits by Sandeep Singh and Vivek Gupta lacked power and, more importantly, direction. This is the area where the chief coach, Harendra Singh, should pay more attention in the matches ahead. He is viewed as an innovative coach in this sector.

Monday's matches: IOB v Punjab Police (2-15 p.m.); Indian Railways v Mumbai (4-15 p.m.).

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport