SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2001: Hyderabad: After losing by a last minute goal in the recent five-nation tournament, Indian juniors are looking forward to avenge the defeat as they take on Malaysia in the first of the four `Tests’ at the Begumpet Astroturf stadium here on Monday.

The Indian team, which finished third in the five-nation contest in Malaysia last month, has been here for quite sometime as part of the coaching schedule and chief coach Charles Cornelius sounded confident of winning the series. However, the last minute reversal in Kaula Lumpur, which eliminated India from the title contest against eventual winners Germany, is still reason enough to give the visitors a sense of belief _ of repeating their performance. Malaysia finished runners-up in the tournament.

The four-match series concludes on Sept 14, with a break on Sept 12. All the matches will be held at the same venue, as it is the only Astroturf in the city, which is scheduled to host National Games next year.

The Malaysians, led by experienced Boon Huat, who represented his nation in more than 100 internationals, including many at the senior level, had a rigorous session this evening. Coach Yahya Atan, talking to reporters, said he was confident of giving a good fight to the hosts. Though he conceded that India would be a different proportion playing at home, he exuded the confidence that his boys would rise to the occasion.

Last month’s defeat notwithstanding, the Indian side looks balanced and much is expected from the experienced trio of Arjun Halappa, Deepak Thakur and Bipin Fernandes. The match, which is to be telecast live on Doordarshan’s sports channel, begins at 3.00 p.m.

Teams:

Malaysia: Shaiful Azhar, Mohammed Amin, Boon Huat, Norhanafi, Rendzuan, Prabhakaran, Azlan, Maswardi, Nor Azlan, Mohammed Fairus, Shankar, Zahrin, Logan Raj, Jiwa Mohan, Mohammed Firadus, Vinodhan, Jivan. Manager: Z Abbas. Coach: Yahya Atan.

India: Millan Gowda, Amarjeet Singh, Thob Singh, Shamshuz Zoha, Vivek Gupta, Bipin Thimmiah, Jagbir Singh, Arjun Halappa, Deepak Thakur, Bipin Fernandes, Somesh Kantha, Pokrolo, Muthu Selvan, Rajasekhar, Sonu, Dung Dung, Sarath Babu, M. Sekhar Babu. Chief Coach: Charles Cornilius. Asst. Coach: Syed Mustafa. Trainer: Narenderpal Singh.

INDIA RACE TO 3-1 WIN IN THE OPENER

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2001

Hyderabad: At the end of the match it’s the goals which matter most and the Indian juniors did extremely well to put it past a fighting Malaysians in the first of the four-match `Test’ series which commenced here on Monday. The scoreboard read 3-1 in favour of the home team but the visitors looked much better than what the result reflects as they dominated the midfield for better part of the game and even forced eight penalty corners.

On a bright day at the fast-paced Begumpet AstroTurf stadium, the Indians entered the field in a positive frame of mind and almost raced away to a 1-0 lead in the very first minute. Left-winger Soma Kantha’s hesitancy meant that he missed a sitter, off an excellent cross from the right flank by Jagbir Singh.

However, Jagbir, in tandem with experienced Deepak Thakur, tormented the Malaysian defence right through the encounter as he repeatedly outwitted the rivals with some imaginative moves. At the end of the day, the Sardar had reason to rejoice as all three goals that India scored were a result of his skillful play.

Soma Kantha opened the account for the hosts in his third attempt when Jagbir set an open goal for him after catching the rival custodian, Shaiful Azhar, on the wrong foot in the 20th minute.

Defender Amarjeet Singh doubled the lead, converting India’s second penalty corner, which came the home team’s way after a goal-bound Thakur was brought down by Redzuan, with a powerful hit. Here too, Jagbir complemented Thakur’s effort as he took possession of the ball somewhere near the centre-line and relayed I to the former.

Then Thakur himself score one, which turned out to be the goal of the day. Playing centre-half, Thakur was again fed by Jagbir from the right flank but the way the goal thumped into the net envisages a good time for the Indians at the forthcoming World Cup. The well-built Thakur, who seems to have developed a special liking for the reverse hits, rushed towards the rival goal before turning back and striking the ball in reverse motion in a jiffy. Malaysian pulled back one in the 58th minute but that was a little too late. Skipper Boon Huat, taking strike for the first time, scored off their sixth penalty corner. However, it was surprising to see Huat, the most experience player from either side, come into the action so late. The Malaysians forced as many as eight penalty corners- a good reflection of their share of dominance in the opener – but many of them turned out to be too feeble attempts at the goal as neither the pushers nor the takers had any sense of synchronisation. Huat