The Tribune: India shoot out Australia

Edge out Australia 4-2 in shootout to enter final; Belgium stun Germany in other semifinal

By Indervir Grewal

As Manpreet’s shot sent ripples through the back net, the crowd burst into an ear-numbing roar that took its own sweet time to die down. All through the engrossing 70 minutes and nerve-jangling shootout, immense tension had built up with waves of joyous yelps and gasps of disappointment; and the winning goal came as a release, which like a tsunami submerged the Dhyan Chand Stadium.

Manpreet ran in for India’s fourth attempt, with the hosts leading Australia 3-2 in the shootout; he lost control of the ball for a second but settled himself before blasting the ball high into the net. The players, who, unlike the fans, couldn’t afford to lose their composure in the biggest match of their careers, sprinted towards a corner and bound themselves in a tight huddle.

Captain Harjeet Singh, towards whom everyone else looked for reassurance and motivation, finally had the luxury of letting himself go after leading his team into the final of the junior hockey World Cup for the first time since 2001; and he did, with an impromptu and unabated performance of bhangra to the beats of the dhols playing in the stands.

“It was a match that needed all of us to constantly keep motivating each other,” said Harjeet, who was the most charged up and vocal on the pitch. Did he feel he had to take up the responsibility of keeping everyone focused, especially after India’s nervy performance a day earlier?

“I want to thank all the players as they stuck to their duties. Everyone knew what had to be done and we really played to the plan,” he added. Asked about his bhangra performance, he smiled shyly; unlike on Thursday, after their 2-1 win over Spain, his smile was not reserved this time.

The Indian team’s performance today —a complete opposite from their jittery show yesterday — deserved all the applause it got from the crowd.

Reassuring sign

Against the ever-dominant Australia, India controlled the possession smartly. India’s intentions became clear early on. Manpreet dodged past a player and despite no opening ahead, it seemed he was determined to carry on with his run. That’s what the Indians had done yesterday. But on this occasion, Manpreet, realising that there were no options ahead, turned around and passed the ball back for it to be rotated.

A reassuring sign, and that set the tone for a game that saw India building their attacks with patience, even after falling behind in the 14th minute. Australia’s first penalty corner led to Tom Craig scoring an opportunistic goal from an acute angle to silent the crowd. Despite conceding the opening goal for the second time in two days, India planned their comeback with confidence. They missed their chances in the first half and came out harder in the second. They put pressure on the Australians and their do-or-die spirit — relentlessly going after the ball-carrier and lunging to intercept every pass — got them the equaliser in the 42nd minute. Simranjeet Singh, who had a brilliant game, stole the ball around the centre-line to set up a counterattack. In a two-one-one situation, he quickly released the ball for Gurjant Singh to his left. Gurjant’s initial touch looked to have taken him a bit too wide, but his low reverse shot went through the goalkeeper’s pads.

With their tail up, India pressed harder. Six minutes later, Mandeep Singh made the unlikeliest interception, bringing down a scoop from a 16-yard start with his upright stick. He had a one-two with Armaan Qureshi before beating a hapless goalie with a reverse shot.

The next 10 minutes were all about India, but they had nothing to show for it. The momentum shifted in Australia’s favour. They had penalty corners but goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya saved; until they got the unlikeliest equaliser. Lachlan Sharp, standing just in front of the keeper, got in a deflection from the top of the circle.

Winning is the most important thing in the knockout matches, manager Roelant Oltmans had said after the Spain match. What if we “play a brilliant game and lose 1-0”, he had said. It seemed his remark would come true. But Dahiya’s heroics in the shootout ensured that India’s brilliant performance was rewarded with a win.

TWEETS

Waaaaah! Chaa gaye mundeyo… Congratulations for securing a spot in the final. One step closer! #HJWC2016 Rupinder Pal Singh, senior team

Vadayian! Through to the final… Proud of you boys! Good luck! Ramandeep Singh, senior team

Splendid show by Indian juniors in World Cup Hockey..All the best for Finals..Go for it guys & make the nation proud..!! Bishan Singh Bedi, cricketer

Team deserve this …… specially Vikas . Star of the day PR Sreejesh, india captain

Congratulations @HockeyIndia on reaching the finals of the #JuniorHockeyWorldCup! Gautam Gambhir, cricketer