India labour to down Wales

Tournament favourites India made all the play but found goals hard to come by in their opening match in the men's World Cup hockey qualifier at the Peffermill stadium in Edinburgh on Wednesday. In the end, they had to settle for a 2-1 victory over lowly Wales in Pool A to pick full points, with both their goals coming in a space of seven minutes midway through the second half.

In an earlier match, in the same group, New Zealand beat Egypt 3-1.

In Pool B, Belgium registered their first victory from two matches, beating Bangladesh 5-0, while Argentina beat France 2-1, all the goals coming in the first half.

In Pool C, Japan began their campaign on a rousing note, beating Chile 4-0, after leading 3-0 at half-time, while Spain beat Scotland 2-0.

It was another tale of missed chances by the Indians. Wales, with hardly any international experience, crowded their defence and denied the Indian forwards -- Gagan Ajit Singh, Samir Dad and Bipin Fernandez -- a clear look at goal. And even when the Indians did have a shot at goal, there was goalkeeper George Harris to stand in their way.

The eight-time Olympic champions were rusty in the first half and were barely able to force penalty-corners. They had to wait till 17th minute to earn their first, which was wasted, as the hit by Dilip Tirkey was deflected and saved by the Harris.

India got their second penalty-corner in the 23rd minute, which was again wasted, as the Welsh used crowding out tactics.

With skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon urging his forwards, the Indians continued to dictate terms but failed to break the deadlock till the breather.

In the second session too, the story was the same as Wales goalkeeper Harris and defender Paul Edwards proved hard to get past. But vigourous attacking saw the Indians break the ice in the 46th minute. Following a passing bout between Prabjhot SIngh and Baljit Dhillon, the skipper found Tirkey, who relayed the ball to Bipin Fernandez. The last named saw Prabjhot in the clear and laid a precise pass for him to sweep home.

The goal spurred the Indians and within seven minutes they got their second goal. Off their third penalty-corner, Dhillon pushed and waited for the return from an indirect setpiece to sound the board with a quick sweep.

And just when it looked like India would finish with a two-goal margin, Wales suprised them with a last minute goal from hardworking midfielder Simon Organ. Following a long corner Huw Jones passed the ball to Organ, who moved right and shot high into the net.

India managed another penalty-corner -- their fifth -- just before the hooter but could not convert it.

The Indians did manage three vital points, but sure they will not be happy with their performance as they really needed to score more goals against Wales, perhaps the weakest team in their pool.

For Wales, it is a great moral victory which should help them in their forthcoming matches against New Zealand and Egypt.

Late entrants New Zealand picked full points from their opening match when they scored an easy 3-1 victory over Egypt in Pool A.

The Kiwis, who came-in following the withdrawal of Zimbabwe, called the shots right through the opening match of the day at the Peffermill stadium and should be the team to watch. They are able to create the chances and force penalty-corners when in the circle. The major difference between them and Egypt was in that department. The Kiwi's earned more penalty-corners and converted the chances efficiently.

New Zealand shot into the lead in the sixth minute through a goal from Brett Leaver. From a penalty-corner, Leaver deflected the ball over goalkeeper Osama Hasanein, who dropped to the ground to cover the angle, into the middle of the goal.

The Kiwis consolidated their lead in the 15th minute. Leaver was again on target as he converted a penalty-stroke, which was awarded to them when Bevan Hari was tackled hard by an Egyptian defender.

Egypt came back well in the 27th minute to reduce the lead from a goal by Mohamed Gamal. From a free-hit, a New Zealander defender failed to clear the ball cleanly. Belal Ibrahim picked up the weak clearance and passed to Gamal, who, with a reverse stick, flipped it over the 'keeper Paul Woolford.

With a 2-1 lead at half-time, New Zealand rode into the second half looking to gain complete control, like they established in the first quarter of the game. And they did so, as they struck in the 57th minute through Umesh Parag, who deflected a pass from Leaver following a penalty-corner, high into the top left corner of the goal.

The match got a bit rough towards the end and a player from each side was shown the yellow card. New Zealand's Ryan Archibald was given yellow card in 63rd minnute while Al Yazeed of Egypt got it in the last minutes of the game.

India open their campaign in the qualifier against Wales in the second match of the day.

Earlier reports:
Day 1 round-up
India look for a winning start