Kandy Times

There were three opinions freely expressed at the hockey tournament of the 10th South Asian Games held at the modern Nandimitra Ekanayake Hockey facility at Matale.

The first was that India looked the best of the teams on display. The second that Bangladesh was peaking with every game and the last was “what has happened to Sri Lanka hockey?” Thankfully the first two were proved wrong and the third was answered in emphatic style.

The Indian and Pakistani national teams, it was said were playing in 7-a-side tournaments in Stuttgart and Düsseldorf. However, that said, this Indian team must have had a long period of training. They were physically fit, strong and seemed to have mastered every set play.

The Pakistani ball collection was a little poor and their coach put it down to the bumping surface. Their shooting, especially in the 8-1 defeat of Sri Lanka, was off target. The Bangladeshis played to a plan. Had they improved their ‘double’ blocking and channeling of the attacker to the sides” they could have reduced the goals against them.

The Sri Lankans showed certain indecisiveness in front of the goal and tended early on to attack in ones and twos. They were also not all that proficient in the job tackle. Did we have different strategies for different teams? The combinations were not worked out very well.Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh (0-1)

The visitors surprised the Sri Lankans with a field goal by Maksud Alam in the 32nd minute. The Sri Lankans came back well and had a good second half but failed to achieve parity. There wasn’t enough variation with the same system being used for penalty corners.

India vs. Pakistan (2-0)

The game started at a terrific pace, but it was too hot top last and both teams slowed down after some time. India’s reliable left back Ragunath sounded the board in the 33rd minute and Gurbaj Singh, the centre half, put the issue beyond doubt with another in the 64th minute. The Pakistanis, spearheaded by Imran Warsi and Shabir Khan made some attacking forays but were thwarted by goalie Sreejesh, in the main.

Pakistani vs. Bangladesh (5-1)

Stung to the quick by their defeat to arch rivals India the previous day, the Pakistanis turned it on in style in the second half, after a thin 1-0 lead at the break. Imran Warsi’s opening goal was supplemented by goals from Yasir Islam, Shabir Khan, Mudassar Khan and Zakir Ullah.

Outclassed Bangladesh had to thank Ariful Haq Prince for their 63rd minute goal.

India vs. Sri Lanka (9-1)

Gurbaj Singh (2nd minute) Ragunath (4th) and Gurvinder Chandi (7th) had sounded the boards before the Sri Lankas could settle down. After that early blitz, there was only going to be one winner and that wasn’t Sri Lanka. More goals from Chandi (again), Birender Lakra and Senthil made it 6-0 at half time. Ragunath (his second), Adam Sinclair and William Xaixo added to the Lankan’s discomfiture.

Once more, the Sri Lankans did better in the second half and Wickremasinghe was able to convert a penalty stroke in the 50th minute. The Sri Lankan forward line tended to be a bit selfish and did not pass the ball enough.

India – Bangladesh (4-0)

The Indians led by the diminutive V. Raja kept up the momentum and won as they liked. One sensed that after the early strikes, the Indians didn’t really exert themselves, reserving their energies for the final.

Bronze Medal – Sri Lanka 2 Bangladesh 0

The home team exceeded all expectations. This was a team that seemed to believe in themselves. One got the impression the Sri Lankans had a gut feeling that they could pull this off. They attacked territory. Skipper Prasanna Abeyratne converted a short corner early on to give his team that feel good factor.

Left winger Anju Hewage made the second goal with some beautiful stick-work, making his way down the flank, cutting in, evading a few tackles and then passing to Gazzali for the coup de grace.

This was a refreshing performance from a team that not many at the stadium backed.

Gold Medal – Pakistan 3 India 2

The robust Pakistanis overcame the fear psychosis that the earlier 2-0 defeat by the Indians may have brought about by coming good when it mattered, Shabir Khan put then ahead early in the first half and the Indians were able to equalise through Vikram Kanth in the last minute of the opening half.

Two quick goals by Imran Warsi spurred the Indians to desperate effort. A goal by Sardar Singh was all they could add, as the determined Pakistanis held on.

A minor flare up between the players was nipped in the bud. Interestingly, only a couple of Indians shook hands with their rivals after the game was over. The others, obliviously disappointed, made their way to the changing room. I suppose that’s Indo-Pakistan rivalry!