Indians go totally dry against Canada

Earlier, Germany, playing at half-pace, edged past Korea 2-1, which the Dutch must have appreciated. Germany8217;s victory only confirmed Holland8217;s progress to the semi-finals from this pool.

Neither an early lead nor the presence of Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill inspired India whose forwards were the culprits. Rajesh Chauhan, Sabu Varkey and Mukesh Kumar took turns to miss from handshaking distance of the goal. Worse still, Ramandeep Singh8217;s penalty stroke attempt bounced off the crosspiece.

The Indians played like novices inside the rival 25-yard area much in contrast to theCanadians who capitalised on the few openings that came their way. So decidedly bad was India8217;s performance on the day that the Canadian coach Shiaz Virjee did not need to employ any tactics. The Indians beat themselves.

India raised some hopes earlier when Rajesh Chauhan got a stick to Anil Aldrin8217;s penalty corner drive in the 23rd minute for a deflection to goal.But the Canadians hit back in the very next minute as Alan Brahmst found Rob Short with a short free-hit at the top of the circle. Short eluded tackles from no fewer than five defenders inside the circle before flicking past goalkeeper Jagadish Ponnappa.

The Canadians seized the advantage with a goal two minutes into the second session when Marek Gacek deflected a Peter Milkovich free-hit and in the 12th, Milkovich himself got into the act with a lovely penalty corner flick to the net.

Then followed the miss by Ramandeep off a penalty stroke that the Malaysian umpire, Amarjit Singh awarded when Aldrin8217;s penalty corner drive struck Ian Bird onthe foot.

At the end of the game, India face the same prospects as in the Willesden World Cup in 1986 where they finished 12th after losing a play-off with Pakistan, who took the 11th spot.

GERMANY TOP: Earlier, at the Galgenwaard Stadium, Germany did just enough to pick up their fourth set of three points and top the pool. Gols by Jan-Peter Tewes and Oliver Domke helped see off a later Korean charge marked by Seong Tae Song8217;s 63rd minute strike. Korea, the Asian champions, ended with four points. ENGLAND PREVAIL: In Group B, England signed off with a 3-1 win against Malaysia to finish on six points. The Malaysians, with just one point, took the sixth spot in the pool. The men8217;s competition take a break on Friday with the classification and semi-final matches scheduled for Saturday.

PAK OUSTED: Holders Pakistan were knocked out of semi-final contention by Australia on a forgettable day for Asian hockey.

Pakistan were outplayed 3-1 half-time 3-0 by Australia in a do-or-die battle todecide the second semi-finalist from Pool B after Olympic silver medallist Spain sealed their last four berth with a stylish 4-0 win over Poland.

In the semi-finals on May 30, Australia who topped the group with a far superior goal difference of 21 to Spain8217;s 10 after both team finished with an identical tally of 13 points, will take on Netherlands. Spain take on Germany in the other semi-final.