Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Johor Bahru, October 27
The junior Indian men’s hockey team suffered its first defeat of the 7th Sultan of Johor Cup, going down 4-3 to Australia here today.
India came from behind to take the lead in the first half, but careless mistakes meant they were forced to chase the game for most part of the final quarter.
Dilpreet Singh (30th and 47th minutes) and Sanjay (9th) scored for India but goals from Joel Rintala (3rd), Coby Green (36th), Jonathan Bretherton (45th) and Nathan Ephraums (49th) were enough for Australia to secure a crucial victory.
Despite the loss, India, who won all their previous matches, still have their fate in their own hands. India, second in the table with 9 points, face table toppers Great Britain in their final pool match on Saturday. Even a victory will not secure India a berth in the final as third-placed Australia (9 points) will take on Malaysia in their final round-robin match. India have a goal average of 23, while Australia’s is 22. India will have to improve their performance by a few notches to overcome Great Britain, who beat Japan 3-1 today to make it four wins in four matches.
In today’s match — which saw attacking hockey, albeit disorganised at times — India matched the defending champions in the initial stages but lost their structure after halftime. Great Britain, who beat Australia 4-2 yesterday and have conceded just three goals till now, will be a much tougher nut to crack.
Striker Dilpreet was again the bright spot for India, scoring his third brace of the tournament, apart from a hat-trick. He leads the goal-scorers list with nine strikes. But India didn’t play well as a unit. India coach Jude Felix said: “I am very disappointed with this defeat. We were in the lead and should have taken the opportunity to win this match. Nevertheless, we are still in the running for a place in the final.”
Early setback
Australia, who needed a win to stay alive in the tournament, dominated the proceedings in the initial stages. They won a penalty corner in the third minute, which was converted by Rintala. After conceding goal, India stepped up their efforts. They won a penalty corner in the ninth minute and Sanjay equalised. In the last minute before the halftime hooter, a missed pass from Australia led to a counterattack from India. Dilpreet made a brilliant run from the 25-yard line before unleashing a low strike to give India the lead.
In the third quarter, though, Australia started controlling the game.
They earned a couple of penalty corners before Green scored from one, despite it not being executed properly. Australia took the lead through Bretherton after another unsuccessfully executed penalty corner.
India got the equaliser against the run of play when Dilpreet sneaked behind the defence to receive a long pass, before lobbing the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper from a very narrow angle.
However, India could only stay level for two minutes as Ephraums deflected in a penalty corner, scoring his eighth goal of the event.
India women face Singapore in women’s Asia Cup opener
Kakamigahara City (Japan): India will face Singapore in their opening match of the Women’s Asia Cup which gets underway on Saturday. The top eight women’s teams of Asia, including India, will face off in the continental tournament, which will also serve as a qualifier for the Hockey World Cup 2018.
China, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and reigning title holders Japan will fight for supremacy in the event which will conclude on November 5. The competition gets underway on Saturday with all the eight teams in action. Pool A matches kick off with China taking on Malaysia, India facing Singapore, Korea playing Thailand and hosts Japan meeting Kazakhstan.
