A historic achievement for Egypt


S. Thyagarajan

Draw a big setback for India

India had six penalty corners

Saeed Amr scored Egypt’s equaliser

IPOH: A draw for Egypt was undeniably an inspiring result, even historic in some aspects, but for India, the 2-2 verdict in the opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament on Sunday was a shocking setback for its quest to regain the cup last won in 1985.

Egypt earned a penalty corner, 37 seven seconds before the hooter and finished the day with honours even, making many wonder whether the Indian team still suffers the final minute jitters.

Coach Harendra Singh was candid in acknowledging that the team was not even 25 per cent of its potential. He was as much dismayed by the outcome as many in the stands, unable to comprehend what really went wrong.

Even as the Egyptian coach from Poland Jerzy Wybieralski, who played in four World Cups, saw the result as a reward for his work with the team for two years, Haredra was downcast and obviously unprepared for the turn of the events on this cloudy evening.
Initial shock

Egypt shocked India early enough in the contest from an eye-catching counter-attack, after Sandeep’s penalty corner attempt was baulked by Ahmed Moundour. A quick sally culminated in Muhammad Hassan beating Baljit Singh at the goal.

Clearly out of its rhythm and not coming up anything that matched the fervour of the Egyptians, the Indians went through a routine that suggested a palpable sluggishness, indifference and inefficiency at the all-important end.

While the frontline did precious little, save for a few thrusts by Tushar Khandekar, the mid-field was anything but cohesive.

Sandeep Singh produced the equaliser midway through with a blinding penalty corner drive but was repeatedly frustrated by Ahmed Mandour who was quick to surge ahead and intercept the hits. India had six penalty corners against the two by Egypt.

Midway in the second half, India forged ahead from a move that showed a semblance of unison and imagination.

Tushar wove in delectably parting the ball to Sardar Singh whose flick was tapped in by Shivendra Singh.

Though India was struggling to hang on, it looked as though the team might end up with full points notwithstanding the poor show. But that was dashed by the strike of El Saeed Amr after the regulation time.
Malaysia on song

Backed by the full- throated support from the home crowd, Malaysia took the lead from a perfect penalty corner by Rahim Mohammad Rahim, but even before the cheers could die down Shakeel Abbasi neutralised the advantage.

Close on half-time Abdulla Mohammad Nabli hit the target followed by Misron. Pressing hard, Pakistan reduced the leeway when a backhander by Abbasi Haider stunned goalkeeper Kumar.

The results:

India 2 (Sandeep Singh, Shivendra Singh) drew with Egypt 2 (Mohammad Hassan, El Saeed Amar). Malaysia 3 (Rahim Mohammad Rahim, Abdulla Md. Nabi, Azian Misron) bt Pakistan 2 (Shakeel Abbasi, Abbas Haider).

Monday’s matches: New Zealand v Pakistan (2.30 p.m. IST); Malaysia v Egypt (4.30 p.m.)

Courtesy: The Hindu