The shadow of the last half-minute debacle in the previous match was clearly evident in the body language of the Indian players. Their grim faces were also telling the same story so did their performance in the fourth league encounter against New Zealand. They never looked like a cohesive unit. They played well below par to their potential and suffered another shock defeat. It was their third loss in four matches. New Zealand won the match 2-1 scoring the match winner in a sensational fashion, well beyond the scheduled time off a penalty corner. In fact Kiwis earned a penalty corner in the last minute of play but following infringements by Indian defenders they went on to earn a series of penalty corners – four in total, till a goal was not scored. In the mean time the final hooter had sounded and furthermore three of the four penalty corners were taken after it.

The match was a dull affair in the first half as both the teams played half-heartedly and slow game. No team scored during this period. After a scoreless first half the match picked up a little momentum as play resumed. In the first minute NZ got a free hit near the Indian defensive quarter line. Experienced Town Simon, who was playing his 200th international, took possession of the ball on top of the striking circle and passed it to unmarked Philip Burrows inside the D who comfortably placed it into right place. Next minute India earned their first penalty corner of the match when Gagan Ajit Singh was obstructed by a Kiwi defender. Sandeep Singh, the younger brother of drag flicker Jugraj, failed to capitalize on it. India got another chance to score an equliser in the 50th minute but veteran striker Baljeet Singh Dhillon could not control the ball just in front of the empty goalmouth. Earlier India had wasted another chance when Deepak Thakur’s reverse flick had gone high over the cross bar.

In the 57th minute Dhanraj Pillay collected a through pass near the central line, ran down the Kiwis defence and passed it to Deepak Thakur inside the D but his fierce drive struck the goal post and resultant rebound was cleared.

The equalizer for India came in the 61st minute of play off the third penalty corner. Adopting a different tactics it was Arjun Halappa who took the first strike at the ball and rather hitting directly he passed the ball to onrushing Dhanraj Pillay who deflected the ball into goal. After leveling the score Indian forwards made some good moves in their rival citadel but the final thrust was missing. The same thing also happened with Kiwis forwards but the luck was in their side. In the 70th minute they got a penalty corner and a chance to emerge winner in this important tie. And they did it but not before an unprecedented Umpiring showdown.

On Hayden Shaw’s hit off the first penalty corner, an Indian defender committed an infringement so Umpire signaled for another penalty corner. Then sounded the final hooter but as per the rule the process of penalty corner had to be completed. Once again an Indian defender fouled and was another penalty corner was awarded to New Zealand. This time Shaw hit wide and the ball crossed the sideline. One Umpire signaled for the completion of the proceedings while the second gave different signal – for another penalty corner. There was confusion all around for few moments. Both Umpires had discussed each other and finally decided to go with the penalty corner decision. The desperate Indians conceded the goal and lost the match.

Once again India suffered by poor and partial Umpiring. Though India played mediocre hockey and never looked in a good shape for most of the time in this match but the way Umpires behaved and discriminated the Laws was shocking and disgraceful. The entire episode has left the impression on million of hockey lovers that the Umpires were all set to see India on the losing side. Now it is a time for IHF to come forward on its own and take necessary steps to curb such incidents.

Arun Arnaw,
30 Vivikanand Nagar,
Yadav Colony,
Jabalpur (MP), India,e-mail: arunarnaw@yahoo