Three down, India look for consolation win

With six stalwarts of the Asian Games gold-winning Indian combination being omitted, the successive defeats in the current series had to be expected, though such a drubbing at the hands of Pakistan would be rather difficult to digest, given the passions and emotions the contest between the neighbours arouse.

If anything, it has put the Indian Hockey Federation in a predicament as to whether or not to recall the stars and appease the ever growing multitude of angry Indian fans who feel that dropping of the six players, including skipper Dhanraj Pillay and the Asiad hero goalkeeper Ashish Ballal was uncalled for.

However, coach Vasudevan Baskaran asserted that the series would help fine-tune a young combination in preparation for the Sydney Olympics next year.

India displayed brilliant resilience before conceding a golden goal to lose the first Test in Delhi, but went down meekly in the next two at Bhopal and Hyderabad. Thus, Pakistan lead the home-leg of the nine-match Pepsi Friendship series 3-0.

The main worry for the Indian coach tomorrow will be the forward-line. The injuries to local lad L Prabhakar and Sameer Dad have compounded the problem.

However, penalty-corner specialist Baljit Singh Dhillon celebrated his return with two goals in Hyderabad and talented youngster Gagan Ajit Singh has the ability to develop as a top-class striker and it is only a matter of time before he blossoms.

Though the team failed to function as a cohesive unit in the Tests so far, Baskaran exuded confidence that the team will fall into the groove in a couple of months.

Indian defence, led by skipper Anil Aldrin, looks solid with ever dependable Dilip Tirkey and young Lazarus Barla in top form. However, the defenders turn out to be the unsung heroes many a time despite playing their hearts out.

With the forward-line fumbling and the mid-field not functioning up to mark, the pressure on the defence in this series has been immense. But the trio, especially Tirkey, gave a splendid performance to keep the rival attack at bay.

The same cannot be said about the goalkeepers. Jagdish Ponnappa, though shaping well, needs more exposure to perform consistently.

The injury to experienced Ramandeep Singh has weakened the mid-field. Now the burden will be on vice-captain Mohammed Riaz and Baljit Singh Saini. Bangalore lad Shanmugam, who had a good domestic season, is likely to form the starting line-up.

For Pakistan, centre-forward and skipper Atif Bashir led from the front thus far, and with Mohammed Sarwar and Mohammed Irfan on the right, and Mohammed Nadeem and Naveed Asim on the left, it will be a strong line-up.

In the mid-field, Muhammed Saqlain will be playmaker with Irfan Yousuf on the right and Wasim Ahmed on the left wing. Before the series began, Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh expressed doubts about the mid-field, but the new players gave enough confidence to the coach that he is willing to try out the bench tomorrow.

Pakistan have the luxury of a handsome lead and will be looking to make a clean sweep of the Indian-leg. But Baskaran promised a better show and with the team working for a face-saving win, the hockey buff can expect keen fare on Wednesday.

TEAMS

INDIA

Goalkeepers: Jagdish Ponnappa, BC Poonaccha; Defenders: Anil Aldrin (captain), Dilip Tirkey, Lazarus Barla; Midfielders: Baljit Singh Saini, SS Gill, Mohammed Riaz (vice-captain), Thirumalvalavan, Shanmugam; Forwards: Daljit Singh Dhillon, Rajesh Chauhan, Ravinder Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh, Kamal Horo, Gurusewak Singh, Baljit Singh Dhillon. Coach: Vasudevan Baskaran.

PAKISTAN

Goalkeepers: Muhammad Qasim, Ahmad Alam; Defenders: Sohail Abbas, Aamir Salim, Danish Kalim, Midfielders: Irfan Yousuf, Muhammed Saqlain, Wasim Ahmed, Asad Qureishi, Mubashir Mukhtar; Forwards: Muhammad Irfan, Atif Bashir (captain), Ijaz Rasool, Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Anis, Mohammad Sarwar (vice-captain), Muhammad Khalid and Naveed Asim. Manager: Khwaja Zakauddin, Coach: Shahnaz Sheikh, Doctor: Major Muhammad Yousuf Baig.

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