by Hockey Supporter
15. June 2009 06:30
India defeat Belgium 4:0
Today’s match between India and Belgium brought a preliminary decision which team play most likely for the ninth rank at the end of the tournament. In the first half the crowd watched an equal match with good opportunities on both sides. But for the first 25 minutes both goalkeepers, Jeremey Gucassoff (Belgium) and Mrinal Choubey (India) were always victorious showing their skills. India’s captain Diwakar converted the second penalty corner as confident as usual. Danish Mujtaba extended the lead only two minutes later. When a few minutes were left on the clock Belgium had a series of penalty corners but they were not able to overcome the excellent Mrinal Choubey in the first 35 minutes.
Back on the pitch India got the better start. Victo Singh Kshetrimayum stood just in the right position at the left post to score his first goal in the match. Over the rest of the second half both teams had their chances but it was only the winner of the Asian Cup again who scored. Karan Jay finished a nice combination over the right side. Belgium suffered from their inefficiency inside the circle just as in the preliminary round when they had missed the second rank by just one goal difference. India is on a straight way to win Pool G with two victories in two matches.
India v Belgium 4:0 (2:0)
1:0 DIWAKAR (PC), 2:0 Danish MUJTABA (FG), 3:0 Victo Singh KSHETRIMAYUM (FG), 4:0 Karan JAY (FG)
New Zealand destroy Pakistan´s hopes for the title
Pakistan´s dreams of winning the title were destroyed by New Zealand. The Junior Black Sticks defeated them with a convincing performance 4:2 and keep chances for semi-final ticket. Pakistan needed to win after they lost yesterday night´s match versus Australia. The Junior Black Sticks had at least one point on their account because their match versus Korea was drawn. Pakistan fought from the first minute on and became dangerous the first time when Abdul Haseem Khan hit the ball into the goal but it touched his body before and a free hit for New Zealand was awarded. New Zealand used their first opportunity when Nick Wilson was successful with an Argentinean backhand stroke which went directly into the net. The Junior Black Sticks demonstrated the same effectiveness as they showed versus India.
Just four minutes later Stephen Jennes converted the rebound of a penalty corner. After the two goals Pakistan can thank their goal keeper Imran Butt that he kept them into the game during the next couple of minutes. Pakistan scored their first goal when they took the ball into the circle, shot on the goal and New Zealand´s defence could not clear the rebound. It was Muhmmad Waqas who hit the ball over the goal line. At the end of the first half Pakistan got their probably best chance to equalize. Khan won possession at the circle line, went to the goal but missed it.
Pakistan´s Abbas Haider used a similar situation to equalize than his team scored their first goal. The Junior Black Sticks were again in trouble to get the ball out of the circle and Haider brought the ball over the goal line. The 3:2-lead scored by Hugo Inglis when he converted a pass from Simon Child who defeated three defenders from Pakistan in row. Pakistan kept on fighting but all hopes were finally destroyed through Child´s 4:2.
New Zealand v Pakistan 4:2 (2:1)
1:0 Nicholas WILSON (FG), 2:0 Stephen JENNES (PC), 2:1 Muhammad WAQAS (FG), 2:2 Abbas HAIDER (FG), 3:2 Hugo INGLIS (FG), 4:2 Simon CHILD (FG)
Draw between Poland and Egypt
A victory would have helped both teams to improve their chances to become Pool H´s winner. Poland had already three points while Egypt brought one point from their draw versus South Africa. Finally both teams missed to take the three points and that is why Pool H is still pulsating. The match took mostly place in midfield without any team appearing dangerously in front of the other’s goal. It took until the 33 minute when Ghabran Houssam received a long distance pass in front of the polish goal and shot the ball into the net.
In the second half there were more opportunities on both sides. In minute 45 Piotr Kozlowski equalized for Poland through a penalty corner. Later on Egypt hit the crossbar and Poland had several penalty corners. At least no team was able to score a winning goal and the game ended 1:1.
Poland v Egypt 1:1 (0:1)
0:1 Houssam GHABRAN (FG), 1:1 Piotr KOZLOWSKI (PC)
(source: worldhockey.org)
