High Fives from India

The match began badly, Malaysia taking a 2-0 lead inside ten minutes. But that seemed to spur the Indian forwardline, playing without Dhanraj Pillay in a major tournament for the first time. They handled the pressure well, going into all-out attack and preventing the Malaysians from playing their usual defensive game.

The most heartening feature was that the forwards didn8217;t sit back on their first-half performance, in which they scored three goals; they kept up the pressure and added two more after the break.

But for their effectiveness today the forwards must thank Bimal Lakra, the central midfielder returning to the team after being dropped for the Belgium game by chief coach Rajinder Singh.

Lakra and Dhanraj had been the main feeders of the Indian team and today he did it on his own, providing passes and confidence to the midfield in his usual cool manner. It especially benefited Prabhjot Singh, who has been playing withdrawn in the previous match.

The Indian forwards converted four out of 14 chances 8212; the other goal was struck by Dilip Tirkey from a direct penalty-corner hit. Playing with a rhythm, sharpness and unselfish play in the D, it meant that Deepak Thakur, Gagan Ajit Singh, Prabhjot Singh and Baljit Singh Dhillon could all score goals.

For the first, Gagan set up an intelligent pass from within the D to Thakur who just needed to tap the ball into the Malaysian goal. Eight minutes later, skipper Dilip Tirkey8217;s long cross from the midfield provided the perfect opportunity for Gagan, standing in the D to bring up India8217;s equaliser.

After the break, the Deepak-Gagan combination produced the fourth goal for India Tirkey8217;s was the third. With ten minutes remaining, the Malaysians scored from a penalty-stroke but veteran Baljit Dhillon opened his account after initiating a move from the centre himself.

But this is the just the initial phase of the tournament and India must not get carried away by the win. They will next play archrivals Pakistan, who have won both their matches so far.

There are reasons to worry because India conceded 12 penalty-corners against Malaysia, 10 of them coming after the Malaysians were leading 2-0 and when the Indian defence should have been tightened. Dangerous, because Pakistan have the most lethal penalty-corner specialist in the world, Sohail Abbas, who is the highest goalscorer in hockey today.

PCs worry Rajinder

Indian coach Rajinder Singh complimented his forwards but said he was a bit worried about the defence after India conceded 12 penalty corners in the match. 8220;I thought our forwards played well today and they received good support from the midfield. We need to work on our deep defense and rectify the errors,8221; he said.

Other result:

Pakistan bt Belgium: 2-0 Jawad PC 50m, Saqlain FG 61m