Excitement extinguishes an easy Indian euphoria

Holiday crowd of Chandigarh had enough to cherish, as India and Netherlands dished out an exciting fare in the second match of the ongoing Punjab Gold Cup. India, trailed by a brace of goals till the 27th minute, came alive in the next four minutes. Between 29th and 32nd minutes, India scored three goals, all field attempts. It was exciting Indian stuff of yore. But the patient and persistent Dutch side was not unduly worried, worked their way out. They came back with two goals in the 45th and 67th minutes to draw the match at 4-4.

India did not get a single penalty corner, but was speedier and opportunistic inside circle in the second half of the first session. India led 4-3 once Tushar posted the fourth goal of his side in the 58th minute. Young Netherlands did not give up, got the reward with their fourth and last penalty corner in the 67th minute. Goalkeeper Baljit nearly stopped the ball on the line, but it tricked to Geert jan Derikx who scooped the ball above the head of fallen goalie, for the well deserved draw. This extinguished Indian euphoria of winning the Dutch in long time. Perhaps after the 1996 Azlan Shah Cup, India could not overcome them. India of course drew full Dutch side in 2004 at Hyderabad.

Sandeep did not get a chance at Penalty Corners, as India got none. However, he disappointed the crowd pushing the stroke outside in the second half. India got the stroke in the 38th minute.

All Indian goals were superbly finished, it perhaps the excitement factor that got the team on committing too many unforced errors. Second half was replete with ungainful solos, goalmouth deposits and what not. Shivender Singh in particular was the culprit, ploughing lonely furrows. He made so many solos, each ending him dispossessed. With a bit more sense of distribution, the star of the other day could have ensured the team’s success. Once he held the ball so long inside the circle that it seemed he will get the spoiler of the day epithet. Of course it is unlikely of him. Number of moves that hardworking Vikram Pillay and Arjun wove manfully did not yield results because of excited forwards.

Be it as it may.

Yesterday Germany and Netherlands played a brand of hockey that was diametrically reverse of what the Dutch and India displayed today. Every spectator would have voted for the kind of game witnessed today. Measured and methodical game of the super powers melts in terms of spectator worthiness. If hockey has to survive, it needs aggressive game, and if it is only for medals then it should go the Germany-Holland way.