K. ARUMUGAM
Six-time champions Germany was not in its best, yet could post an impressive 4-1 win over India in the semifinal of the Junior World Cup for their ninth entry for the golden battle. India, despite being very dominant in first quarters had to endure a 0-2 halftime scoreline, having conceded them in a profligate way. The Germans were quick and sharp on Indians even minute mistake and punished each time with a stunning goal.
Highlight of the match of course is Germany’s penalty corner defence and goalkeeping and of course belief in themselves.
India got 13 penalty corners but could not convert any while their famed rival just got two with cent percent success!
India played two different halves. It was totally all over the place in the first quarter and lost themselves in the second. Whatever, the Germans struck a goal in every quarter, whether they are struggling or dominating, thus ending the dream of Uttam Singh’s ‘revenge’ not taking place!
The way the Indians gave away first two goals spoke which way the wind would move. A mispass midway through first quarter when the whole of Indians were attacking resulted in a swift turn over and the Germans were up 1-0. Its experienced captain Uttam Singh who was villain of the piece, with the casual pass. However, he made amends when latched on to a rebound from German goalie to level at the end of Q1.
India also wasted their referral questing the award of the goal. Its a tactical blunder.
Second quarter belonged to India. With continuous long passes and overheads they could trouble the Germans and has got even 10 penalty corners but could not move the scoreboard. The German chargers were so quick they were close to penalty corner taker, yielded retake, but not goal.
Even as a couple of seconds left for the halftime, Indians were pressing instead of holding the ball, as was opined by coach later, and in a quick turn over German got a penalty corner and it was not to be wasted.
This goal turned out to be the game changer. India did not recover from the shocker that came in 30+ secs.
Indians pressed hard in the remaining thirty minutes, except getting three more penalty corners, they could not score.