Practice-less India open campaign against Belgium

While their match against Malaysia was called off due to lightening,there was heavy water-logging on the pitch before the match against Canada.

“It’s disappointing,but no team would want to risk injury in such conditions,” admitted India coach Michael Nobbs.

If that was not enough,two Indian players — drag-flicker VR Raghunath and striker Sarwanjit Singh — are down with altitude sickness,common for overseas players due to Johannesburg’s high-altitude of over 5,800 feet above sea level. “These two are feeling altitude sickness right now,but will get over that in a few days,” Nobbs said.

India (10) are the second highest ranked team in the eight-nation tournament after Argentina,followed by Canada (11th),Belgium (12th),hosts South Africa (13th),Malaysia (14th),Japan (15th) and Poland (19th). But rankings may not hold much significance in a tournament that rewards its winner with a spot in the Champions Trophy next year.

Belgium have brought a strong squad that quite resembles the team which finished ahead of Spain in the European Cup and finished fourth after losing the bronze medal play-off match to Britain.

What will be of greater interest to India will be their performances against Poland and Canada,teams that are also in India’s draw for the Olympic qualifiers. Though India will have the advantage of playing in home conditions,they will be keen to make full use of this opportunity to size up their opponents ahead of the crucial competition in February next year.

ONGC lift maiden Nehru hockey title

Last year,they were completely inexperienced and lost out to Air India in the final. This time it was the other way round — ONGC had the years on their side,and they made sure there was no repeat,clinching their maiden Nehru senior hockey title by a solitary goal against PNB XI on Friday.

The match itself was far from interesting,a disappointment specially since the two teams had played out some exciting hockey through the tournament. But in the title clash,both appeared defensive,content keeping the ball in play and playing a passing game.

While Gurwinder Chandi — who scored a hat-trick in the semifinal — was not his usual accurate self,the others were equally off-colour. In fact,it was Chandi who orchestrated the lone goal of the match in the 25th minute.

Taking possession of the ball in the middle,he ran past the PNB defence and passed on to Mandeep Antil on the right before Bikash Toppo slotted the ball in.

In the match for third spot,defending champions Air India edged out Bharat Petroleum 2-0 to finish on the podium. Birender Lakra (24th minute) and VS Vinaya scored for the winners.