Punjab Gold Cup Hockey

Sports Up Dates: February 2009
Punjab Gold Cup: India finishes runner-up ... by Arun Arnaw




The Indian Hockey Team's quest to find a place among elite-nations suffer a jolt when European champion Holland forced them to bite dust in the final of the Punjab Gold Cup Hockey tournament held at Sector-42 stadium in Chandigarh. The Dutch, came from behind to register a 2-1 win and lifted the beautiful trophy. Olympic champion Germany defeated New Zealand to take third place.
The India's first four-nation double -leg tournament was held at Sector-2 Stadium in Chandigarh from January 31 to February 9, 2009. The four teams which featured in the tournament were - host India, European champion Holland, Olympic Champion Germany and New Zealand. Germany entered their developmental team in the tournament while Holland rested some senior players.
India opened her campaign against New Zealand by defeating them 2-0 and gave good fight to Holland in her second outing. In her third league match against Germany, Indians were in full flow and posted an encouraging 2-0 win. Indians were a satisfying lot after the completion of the first leg but the second leg proved tough. Indians faced horrifying moments in this leg and at one stage, it seemed to be distant to sail in to the finals. India first drew with Holland and then suffered humiliating 2-4 drubbing at the hands of Germany. In the crucial final league match against New Zealand, India played remarkably well and brushed aside her rival to earn a berth in the final.
The final was played in good esteem. After a barren first half India surged ahead in the 44th minute when Sandeep Singh converted a penalty stroke, which was awarded for obstructing Shivendra Singh by Dutch defender Wouter Jolie in the striking circle. The lead lasted only two minutes. The desperate Dutch organised themselves after conceding a goal and made repeated forays in the Indian territory. Soon it paid off. Robert Kemperman, after taking possession of the ball in the Indian half, ran down the Indian defenders and sounded the board to make the score-card 1-1. Thereafter Indians tried hard and in the process she earned two successive penalty corners in 53rd and 55th minutes but of no avail. Holland sealed the India's fate when Jeroen Hertzberger converted a penalty corner just two minutes before the long hooter.

The India's overall performance in the tournament has been average. Indian players have failed to maintain their level through out the competition. In patches they have been splendid but in demanding situations their game looked disjointed and disorganised. Their penalty corner conversion-rate also needs improvement. However Indian players are eager to return to top fold of nations and they are toiling hard for it. If they continue to work hard, the success will definitely come their way. This year Indian-Hockey has a busy schedule and just after this tournament, India team is leaving for a series in Down Under.
Man of the tournament: Jeroen Hertzberger (Holland)
Indian Team: Sandeep Singh (captain), Baljit Singh, Adrian D'Souza (goalkeepers), Dilip Tirkey, V Raghunath (fullbacks), Gurbaj Singh, VS Vinay, Vikram Pillay, Prabhod Tirkey, Ignace Tirkey (Midfielders), Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, Shivendra Singh, Rajpal Singh, Arjun Halappa, Tushar Khandekar, SV Sunil, Bharat Chikara (forwards). Harindra Singh (coach in-charge), Ramandeep Singh (coach), Romeo James (coach), Mithai MV (Trainer), Shrikant (physio) and Ashok Kumar (technical manager).

source: www.sportsbharti.com