INDIA TAKE THIRD SPOT

Akashdeep Singh strikes golden goal for India’s bronze in the Junior Asia Cup.

Captain Akashdeep Singh came to the team’s rescue with golden goal to give India a consolation bronze at the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca Malaysia.   

You Seungji put Korea ahead  in the 47^th minute with a immaculate penalty corner conversion. India replied through lanky Lokesh Thimmmana seven minutes later through field effort. .  

Naveen Antil from the left sprinted past a host of defenders and sent a perfect cross from sidelines of the circle. Waiting Lokesh guided the fast cross into the goal, trapping in front of goalie with left hand.

However, thereafter the Korean kept the Indian forwards under check with neat trap and fast attacks, stretching the game into extra time.

India had a chance to go up at the end of first extra time, but Amit Rohidas muffed up his penalty corner flick again.

India launched a counterattack with forwards in tandem which led to Indian celebration.  

Its Lokesh again who showed a clean pair of heels to the defenders in taking the ball into the circle in second session of the extra time to set up his captain to do his role.  

After a barren first half the game came alive in the next session with both sides attacking ferociously.

India created umpteen chances to go ahead  but it failed to give the finishing touches the painstakingly women moves.

Indian forwards came close to strike in the 17^th, 25^th and 29^th minutes, but the Korean defence manned by skipper Yang Jihun, Choic Jihun and You Seungju stood like a rock of Gibraltar. Indian forwards wasted the chances they painstakingly created, owing to hurried and misdirected shots. 

Korean goalie Lee Seyoung frustrated India in its three penalty corner attempts.

Indian captain Akashdeep Singh sprinted fast in the penalty corner counter attack to get India its first penalty corner but failed miserably to send the rebound in to the open goal. She shot wide from close range even as the goalie left the cage open.

Sukhdev Singh from the right flank sent two power-packed crosses mid way through the first half only to Malak Singh and Naveen Antil fail to anticipate.

Korean captain Yang Johiun’s bad stick tackle gave India a penaty corner in the closing stages of the first session, but Amit Rohidas could not keep his flick narrow.

Korea too did not show any acumen in the penalty corner area. It got a piece in the fifth and 34^th minutes. Indian defence gathered well to keep the score intact.

India today played Malak Singh as main striker in place of  Prabhdeep Singh but it did not work out, yielding no visible

Korea resorted to long overhead passes to get away the crowding Indians, and thus got some good penetration.

India had to wage a grim battle in the last phase of second session to contain the Korean wingers Jeong Young Seok and Im Seung Ho. With able support from the duo, main striker Hwang Taeil once struck only to be ruled out by Chinese umpire You Suolong.

JAPAN EDGE CHINA FOR FIFTH SPOT

Japan came from a goal down to defeat China 3-1 and finish in fith place in the 7th Junior Asia Cup at the MBMB Stadium in Malacca tonight.

China took the lead in the 6th minute through Guo Lei. But Japan hit back in the 41st minute through the effort of Yohei Mori.

Japan scored the second in the 53rd minute via Ren Sasaki and although they created many more opportunities, poor finishing prevented them from adding on to the scoreline.

But two minutes from time a goal from Masahiro Satau sealed the fifth spot for Japan.

IRAN FINISH SEVENTH

Iran needed a golden goal to pip Sri Lanka and take 7th place at the Junior Asia Cup in Malacca.

Iran opened scoring in the 12th minute through Majid Afifirodbali. But sri Lanka were on level terms in the 22nd minute via Shamika Gunawardane.

The score stood till the end of regulation time forcing extra time to decide the outcome.

Iran came close on several occassions in the first half of extra time but failed to find the back of the net. However in the 82nd minute Ali mohebi was on target to seal the seventh placing for Iran.

OVERSEAS BOUND

Though still at planning stage, several youngsters from the Project 2013 squad and the national squad will be sent to play in leagues overseas to ensure that they improve their skill level for the betterment of Malaysian hockey.

In revealing this, National Sports Council Director General Dato Zolkples Embong said that talks are being initiated with several countries to enable players to ply their trade in overseas leagues.

“We are in the process of negotiating with several clubs from three countries and hopefully are able to settle this by the end of June,” said Zolkples when met in Malacca.

“We realize that our players need to be exposed in foreign leagues in order to become complete players and hence the NSC, with the blessings of the MHC has started working on this matter.

“It is not easy to get a place amongst top clubs but then again we need to tray as the stint will help Malaysian hockey long term.

“I am optimistic that if we were to do this right, then as many as 12 to 18 players will be able to benefit from this arrangement.”

The last time the NSC took a lead role in seeking clubs for hockey players was in 1997, prior to the World Cup Qualifiers.

Five players, namely R. Shanker, Chairil Anwar Abdul Aziz, Nor Azlan Bakar, S. Kuhan and Kerpal Singh went on a three month stints with clubs in Germany. While Kuhan and Kerpal played for Limburg HC, Shanker represented Safo HC while Chairl and Nor Azlan donned the colours of Frankfurt 1880.

The stint paid dividends as the players were more matured and helped Malaysia qualify for the 1998 Utrecht World Cup, after a hiatus of 16 years as the last time Malaysia played in the World Cup prior to that was in the 1982 edition in Bombay.

There have been some players who have been over the past few years playing in foreign leagues – S. Selvarajoo, Chua Boon Huat, Mohd Sallehin Ghani, Kuhan, Faisal Saari  and S. Bubalan, but none was a concentrated effort by NSC or MHC.

Dato Zolkples said that he had discussed this matter with Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, the President of MHC and had received the green light to proceed making arrangements.

“I have contacted several parties on this matter and we are at the moment compiling the clips and bio-data of these potential players for consideration of the clubs,” said Zolkples.

“We have to market these players and only then can we look at more possibilities in order to strengthen the national senior and junior sides.”

MALAYSIA-PAKISTAN FINAL

Malaysia qualified for their first final in the Junior Asia Cup since 1992 when they defeated India 2-0 in the semi final at the MBMB Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia.

They had failed to get past the last four stage thrice – in 1987, 2000 and 2004. And they will surely fancy their chances in the final where they will face either Pakistan or South Korea.

Though Malaysia won, their display was nothing to shout about as they were guilty of over-dribbling.

Still credit goes to coach K. Dharmaraj for leading his players into the final, a fitting result for his dedication and planning.

It was a rather pensive start as both team opted to play it safe in the opening minutes, akin to boxers have a fell at each other, with neither throwing a punch.

As the game progressed, it was obvious that India wanted to slow down the tempo as to break the rhythm of the Malaysian side.

The first real opening fell to Firhan Ashaari who sent his shot wide despite being just seven meters from the Indian goal in the 7^th minute.

And in the 9^th minute Faisal Saari fumbled when up against the last Indian defender, holding on to the ball instead of challenging the defence. The tale of misses continued as Azri Hassan missed a reverse stick shot barely seconds later.

India nearly capitalized on a rare defensive error by Malaysian skipper Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim in the 11^th minute as he miss-trapped a high flick and the ball fell to Antil Naveen who in turn slipped, much to the fans delight.

Malaysia were awarded a penalty corner in the 16^th minute but made a hash of it as they failed to stop cleanly. The Indian counter was swift and Sukhdev Singh’s deflection was neatly smothered by Malaysian keeper Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri.

Amit Rohidass came close for India in the 22^nd minute as his attempt from India’s first penalty corner went just inches wide of the Malaysian goal.

India came close again in the 28^th minute as Satbir Singh broke through on the right but Malak Singh failed to connect from three feet infront of the Malaysian goal.

Malaysia were the early aggressors in the second half and they were duly rewarded in the 40^th minute when umpire Mike Gerwig awarded a penalty corner for a foul on Firhan.

Up stepped Faisal Saari who sent his drag flick high into the roof of the Indian goal to send the 4,500 odd fans into frenzy.  Malaysia led 1-0.

India started showing urgency, dropping their defensive stand as they attacked seeking the equalizer. With skipper Akashdeep Singh gaining control in midfield and setting up forwards with penetrative passes, only sound defending by Faez and Faiz Helmi kept the marauding Indians at bay.

Akashdeep had the best chance 15 minutes from time but hesitated in taking the shot despite in a good scoring position.

India were awarded a second penalty corner in the 59^th minute but Amit’s flick was palmed away by Hazrul Faiz but resulted in a follow on penalty corner.

Amit opted to send a low flick off the next penalty corner but once again Hazrul read correctly as the ball fell to Malak who shot wide with keeper on the ground.

Malaysia won a penalty corner in the 62^nd minute but this time Faeez’s flick was deflected out for a free hit.

But Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof put the issue beyond doubt as he netted the second goal in the 65^th minute off a goalmouth melee to send Malaysia into Sunday’s final.

Meanwhile....

Pakistan will play Malaysia in the final of the 7^th Junior Asia Cup after they defeated South Korea 6-1 in the second semi final played at the MBMB Stadium tonight.

It will be a repeat of the 1992 final, incidentally also on Malaysian soil, when Pakistan ran out winners in the tournament that was played in Ipoh.

Pakistan raced to a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes with Mohammad Dilber notching a hattrick as he found the mark in the 11^th, 13^th and 15^th minutes.

With such a comfortable lead, Pakistan showed no urgency in the second half and allowed Korea to reduce the deficit in the 47^th minute via Im Seung Ho.

However Pakistan went on to score another three goals, through Dilber ( 59^th minute), Muhamad Suleman ( 61t minute) and Mohammad Tousiq ( 64^th minute) to seal their place in the final.

ANUPAM QUITS HOCKEY INDIA

Former journalist cum broadcast journalist Anupam Ghulati has quit as the Executive Director of Hockey India.

I had a brief chat with him this afternoon and we spoke about why he had thrown in his towel but it is not for publication. Suffice to say that he was a true professional and it was always a pleasure dealing with him as he was an sincere personality.

We wish him the best and hope that he will be able to come for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this year.

Below is his email:

This is to inform you that I have recently resigned from Hockey India and my last day at office will be 16 May 2012.

I have spent four satisfying and eventful years in the National hockey affairs, first as the Adviser and then as Executive Director. However time has now come for me to move on in life and also to spend more quality time with the family.

Nevertheless I shall continue to be actively associated with hockey and other sports in various capacities including the print and electronic media.

I take this opportunity to thank you for the wholehearted support and co-operation extended to me and look forward to the same in future also.

JAPAN-CHINA TO DETERMINE FIFTH PLACING

It was an improved performance from Iran. But they still were unable to stop China from moving into the 5/6^th classification matches as they lost 2-0 at the MBMB Stadium in Malacca this evening.

The opening goal of the match was scored by Zhang Zhixuan in the 5^th minute. A second by Yu Xin, a neat penalty corner deflection in the 56^th minute sealed Iran’s fate.

China will now take on Japan on Saturday to determine who finishes fifth while Iran and Sri Lanka will try to avoid the wooden spoon.

Meanwhile in another classification match, Japan defeated Sri Lanka 5-1.

It took Japan only 35 seconds to score their opening goal via Suguru Hoshi. And two minutes later he was on target again to double to advantage for Japan.

Sri Lanka reduced the deficit through Eranga Hendeniya Mudhyanselage in the 9^th minute. It was Sri Lanka’s first goal of the tournament.

But that was as far as they could get as Japan sealed their place in the 5/6^th classification matches through further goals through Heita Yoshihara ( 26^th minute),  Mashiro Satou ( 33^rd minute) and Yohei Mori ( 59^th minute)