New format, mixed results: Indian men lose, women win

A lacklustre India conceded three early goals as they were outplayed by New Zealand 3-6 in their opening match of the International Super Series Hockey 9s tournament on Thursday. The Indian women, however, provided some consolation, winning 3-1 against Malaysia in their tournament opener.
The Indians were playing the new format with a different set of rules for the first time. But more than their unfamiliarity with the format, it was the Indians’ inability to overcome old habits of slow passing and slower attacks that let them down.

New Zealand were 3-0 up within 10 minutes after Stephen Jennes opened the scoring in the sixth minute, beating defender Manjit Kullu. The very next minute, Blair Hilton converted a half chance as India missed out on a counterattack before Benjamin Collier’s reflex backhand shot gave Kiwis a comfortable three-goal cushion. Collier’s shot, from the top of the circle, caught India captain and goalkeeper Bharat Chhetri unawares. New Zealand kept attacking, putting the Indian defence under pressure.

At the other end, however, India seemed to be following coach Michael Nobbs’ philosophy of playing an attacking game. Despite the 0-3 lag, they attempted to score from both flanks but missed several chances to finish the moves before Danish Mujtaba finally scored in the 12th minute. Medio Sardara Singh, who was in fine touch all through, scored India’s second goal from the first penalty corner they got two minutes later to reduce the margin.

Substitute Ravi Pal slotted in from the top of circle in the 24th minute to give India a chance to level scores from the 3-4 scoreline but the physically stronger Kiwis kept coming hard even as the Indians failed to keep up the tempo. They reverted to short passes and a slow build-up, which did not work. India also suffered numerically with VR Raghunath sent off for arguing with umpire Dan Johnston.

The Indian girls, meanwhile, overcame Malaysia 3-1. Ritu Rani guided the ball into the net off India’s first long corner in the 10th minute. Malaysian captain Abdul Rahman Nadia capitalised on a loose Indian defence to soon score the equaliser. India then came out with a brief spell of attack that yielded two more goals — first by Sushila Chauhan in the 20th minute and then by Vandana Katariya three minutes from time.