India make a point in drawn game

They started off well. India seemed to be playing for a win as they attacked from the first minute of the game. But as has happened so often in the tournament,they left glaring gaps in their defence. One such error saw Lloyd Norris-Jones make a solo run from the half line,to beat goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza in a one-on-one to put South Africa up 1-0.

Thereafter,the tide turned. Arjun Halappa,playing the game of his life,was again on the prowl,seeking the slightest gap to push the ball into the striking circle. One such move gave India the equaliser midway through the first half.

Sardar Singh,the impressive,underrated centre-half,showed exquisite skill with the stick,weaving past the physically superior South African midfielders and defenders. Gurbaj Singh too had his moments in the game. India went into break with a slender lead after Diwakar Ram slotted in a rebound off a penalty corner.

But the match changed course in the 45th and 46th minutes. South Africa made a counter-attack at the end of which a ball from Julian Hykes’ stick hit Vikram Pillay in the striking circle. With the referee not blowing the whistle,the game continued.

Counter-attack

This triggered an Indian counter-attack that involved quick passes between Gurvinder Chandi and Tushar Khandker. The beautiful move ended with Sarwanjit Singh finding the net.

As the crowd was celebrating the goal,the South Africans were protesting for the foul made by Pillay a minute back. Umpire Ged Curran referred to the video umpire — not to question the validity of the Indian goal but,heeding South African protests,to seek whether the Pillay obstruction merited a penalty corner for South Africa. The referral favoured South Africa and they put one past D’Souza.

Despite the heartbreak and confusion,India could still have won. Unlike earlier,this team did not give up. Instead,the Indians decided to go full steam to put everything beyond doubt,every player doing his bit to not only level scores but earn three full points. There were at least six chances to score in the last 15 minutes,but Prabhjot Singh missed two sitters within two minutes,Shivendra Singh finally putting one in four minutes from time to earn India one point.

India will now play either New Zealand or Korea in the playoff,their best finish since ending fifth in 1994.