India crowned Sultans of Ipoh

Ipoh (Malaysia), PTI:
India ended a 13-year wait to clinch their fourth Azlan Shah hockey title, comprehensively defeating hosts Malaysia 3-1 in the final of the five-nation tournament here on Sunday.

The iciing on the cake was skipper Sandeep Singh, who stroked in six of India’s 12 goals, beging declared the player of the tournament for being the top-scorer of the event.

Arjun Halappa (8th minute), Prabhjot Singh (20th) and Shivender Singh (41st) sounded the board for India through neatly worked out field goals, while Misron (11th) reduced the margin for the hosts.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand pipped Pakistan 2-1 in a play-off match to secure the third spot at the Azlan Shah Stadium.

High on confidence after their 3-0 win against Malaysia during the round-robin stage, India, who last won the tournament in 1995, started making forays into the rival half from the word go.

Although, it was the first match in the tournament that Sandeep did not score a goal, it hardly mattered for the world ranked 10th as Arjun gave India the the lead in the eighth minute through a neatly worked out field goal.
The lead was, however, short-lived as Misron drew parity, much to the delight of the home crowd, in 11th minute with a strike from close range.

Undeterred, the Indian forwards stepped up the attack and started making repeated inroads into their opponent’s citadel and eventually managed to regain the lead when Prabhjot scored through another field goal nine minutes later to go into the breather 2-1.

The Indians, who last year lost in the finals 1-2 at the hands of Argentina, continued to maintain the pressure on the Pakistani defence in the second session as well.

Center-forward Shivender joined the party when it mattered and made it 3-1 just six minutes after the start of the second half.

Trailing 1-3, the hosts tried hard to force their way into the match but the veteran Dilip Tirkey-led Indian defence stood firm and seemed in no mood to give Malaysia any opportunity of a comeback.

With this victory, India enjoy a 3-0 win-loss record over Malaysia in the event. The Indians last time won against the hosts way back in 1985.

India coach-in-charge Harendra Singh was delighted after guiding the team to its first triumph since he took over from Australian Ric Charlesworth.

“It’s a great day for Indian hockey as we are slowly getting back on our feet. But now it’s time for us to look ahead at the Asia Cup, which will be held next month. The victory will give the players confidence ahead of future tournaments,” he said after the victory. Meanwhile, earlier in the day New Zealand pipped Pakistan 2-1 in the third-fourth place play-off match.

The Black Sticks started the proceedings at a brisk pace and sounded the board twice in a span of a minute. Richard Petherrick gave New Zealand the lead in the 12th minute and then Joel Baker doubled it in the very next minute. Shakeel Abassi, however, pulled one back in the final seconds of the opening half to go into the lemon-break trailing 1-2.

Morale-booster

Former Olympians hailed India’s title triumph, saying the win will provide the national team with the much-needed boost. Former India international and junior team coach AK Bansal said: “The win was very important. It is a significant achievement by the team and will help them in preparations for future tournaments. It is a morale booster .”

Former India captain and a member of the ad-hoc selection committee, Zafar Iqbal echoed similar feelings but cautioned the team about tough competition in the upcoming Asia Cup and 2010 World Cup. “It’s (the win) undoubtedly a huge morale booster for the team, but we can’t think big about it. The team should now focus on Asia Cup and next year’s World Cup,” he said. Ashok Kumar, son of legendary Dhyanchand, and a member of the ad-hoc selection panel, credited the victory to collective effort of the team, including coaches, officials and support staff. “It’s a wonderful victory. The win was very important to regain Indian hockey’s past glory. It’s a confidence booster for the team,” he said.