Charlesworth unhappy with umpiring

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Australian coach Ric Charlesworth was furious about the “umpiring errors” in his team’s crucial match against Spain at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Saturday. Charlesworth had also raised objections against the ‘poor’ standard of umpiring in Australia’s first match against England.

After the hard-fought win against Spain, he said, “Of the seven penalty corners against us, three were bad decisions and I am very angry about it. These factors are forcing us to play better.”

Charlesworth said the wrong choice of the video referral prevented his side from challenging the umpiring decisions later.

“This is one of the problems with the game. When so many players fight it out in a little space, it becomes very, very difficult for the umpires. I have great sympathy for the umpires,” the Aussie said.

Charlesworth, who asked Graham Reid to handle the Australian team on his behalf and watched the match from the stands, demanded review of the referral system. “These things hurt you. It needs to improve, it should be polished. But I support it,” he said.

Spanish coach Martin Dani admitted that his team was out of the race for the semifinals after the defeat. “Now we want to finish in the next best place,” Dani said, agreeing that the loss to Pakistan had proved costly.

Big turnaround

South Africa’s 4-3 victory over Pakistan was a big turnaround for the African nation, which had suffered a humiliating 0-12 loss to Australia. “We cannot hold on to that for a long time. Today we were much more disciplined,” South African coach Gregg Clark, said.

Pakistan’s star drag-flicker Sohail Abbas said his team had not put up a well-coordinated effort. He was unhappy with his own form too.