Mukesh mesmerises Pakistan

NEW DELHI, March 19: A Searing run down the right, then a flick from an acute angle over the advancing goal-keeper, which landed neatly into...

NEW DELHI, March 19: A Searing run down the right, then a flick from an acute angle over the advancing goal-keeper, which landed neatly into the far left corner of the Pakistan net. Mukesh Kumar, the magician, had done the trick to conjure up an Indian victory that left the opponents mesmerised at the National Stadium here today.

That touch, coming in the 20th minute of the match, spoke for the new-found confidence of the Indians as they held back a late charge by Pakistan to snatch a 3-2 win in the fifth of the eight-Test hockey series and send an almost packed stadium into raptures.

India enjoyed the upper hand, even though Pakistan exerted pressure intermittently. While there was some improvement in Pakistan’s mid-field play today, the tight marking of Shahbaz Ahmed saw several Pakistan moves scuttled outside the circle.

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Shahbaz, who was inexplicably given some free room in the second half, looked menacing whenever he got hold of the ball, but failed to strike an understanding with the newcomer,outside left Asif Ahmed Khan, who botched up two clear chances — one in each half.

Man-of-the-match Dilip Tirkey stood tall with his tackles and passes. And, forward Mukesh Kumar, outstanding, today in company of Dhanraj Pillay exposed the chinks in the Pakistani defence as India led 2-0 at half-time.Tirkey, Mukesh and goalkeeper AB Subbaiah were India’s heroes today.

It was ironic that India — who earned 33 in four earlier matches — managed just two today, and scored off one through Tirkey. Pakistan, on the other hand earned six but flick-master’ Suhail Abbas was foiled on four consecutive occasions.

Sabu Varkey shot India ahead in the ninth minute, spanking a deflection past Alam after Mukesh Kumar’s shot deflected off a defender’s stick.India swelled the lead through Mukesh, who exploited a dummy sold by Dhanraj Pillay.

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After India wasted three chances to swell the lead, Pakistan fought back to draw level. Naveed Alam put away a penalty corner and Kamran Ashraf scored after accepting TahirZaman’s pass.

India, however were not to be denied. The match threatened to get rough with Pakistan centre-half Irfan Mehmood being sent off with a yellow card for a foul on Varkey. Dilip Tirkey scored the match-winner off the first penalty corner his side earned today. It brought India their third-successive win over Pakistan.