CLEARLY, the contours have changed. They project a vibrancy, a new vitality and a fragrance of victory. After many a summer India ended the year in a blaze of glory cornering a place in the elite zone of competitive hockey with a trophy triumph in the Champions Challenge Cup at Kuala Lumpur. Consigned to the bin of history after the traumatic end to the Olympic conquest, India's resurgence within a year is not only striking but remarkable in more ways than one.
When the strains of the National anthem wafted across Bukit Jalil, the heart of Malaysia's Sports Complex, with the Indian players standing on the gold medal podium, it was a stirring emotional moment. It was not difficult to gauge what must have been the feelings coursing through the chief coach, Cedric D'Souza, toiling to give the country's hockey structure an iridescent image.
India was only the second favourite in the six-team competition. Argentina gained the top rating based on its extraordinary performance in the World Cup qualifier at Edinburgh. More so, on account of the presence of its top stars, Jorge Lombi, Santiago Capurro, Mario Almeida and Maximilano Caldas.
Eventually, India wrote a different script with a sequence of performances that were an amalgam of delight and despair. India began on a sedate, if not unimpressive note, with a solitary Dhanraj Pillay goal against Belgium, squandered a 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 against South Africa, flunked a penalty stroke and caved in against the Malaysians. If anyone believed India was still in the fray against the three-out-of-three win by Malaysia and the splendid recovery of Argentina from the ashes of defeat against the inspired South Africans in the opening game, he would have been identified as a rabid optimist.
India wrested the initiative beating Japan to place itself in a must-win situation against Argentina, which needed only a draw for the final. With charm, craft and consistency, India overcame the redoubtable South Americans 2-1, the match winner coming from Gagan Ajit Singh. Whatever chinks in the armour visible in the earlier stages were covered up, and India produced a sterling performance against South Africa in the final for the trophy before a large crowd headed by the FIH President, Els van Breda Vriesman.
Although skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon was declared the Man of the final, the competition revealed that the strength of the team was in the mid-field, tight, tactical and technically efficient. Tirumalvalavan was outstanding not only in tackles and interceptions but in engineering quite a few sallies to support. On the right, Sukhbir Singh Gill was an apt foil. Vikram Pillay strove hard in the middle as did Bipin Fernandez whenever commanded to take the role.
A great deal of credit should also go to goal-keeper Jude Menezes. After a splendid penalty stroke save against South Africa's Craig Fulton, Jude was in his elements in every game. He was at his best against Argentina, blunting the penalty corners from Jorge Lombi and the combined thrust of Mario Almeida and Santiago Capurro. In the final also, Jude was a picture of elegance. In the deep defence, Kanwalpreet Singh, who missed a couple of matches owing to indisposition, came to form nearing the end. The new trump card, Jugraj Singh, did not have a tournament like the World Cup, but there is no denying of his shaping well into a fierce hitter.
The seasoned Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Singh Dhillon gave the attack a menacing look supported well by Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Gagan Ajit Singh. As the creator, Dhanraj excelled though not always did the rest make full use of his adroit passes. While on target, Deepak was spectacular but he appeared too flashy and quick to seize all chances. A bit of restraint would have probably got more than the four goals he was credited with in the end. Illness kept the wily Sabu Varkey away from most of the matches. Arjun Halappa was assigned the task of the schemer but in tight situations he was found wanting.
Looking back, it must be said that there is now an excellent group of talent. It is for the shrewd coach such as Cedric D'Souza to weld them into a more striking, flawless combination for the World Cup at Kuala Lumpur. Inspired and ingenuous, the South Africans left many wonder how such a skilful blend was not on the list of the NOCSA for the Olympics in Sydney. The fact that Mike Cullen, who played his 150th international in the final, became the Player of the Tournament, is in itself a tribute to the class displayed by the South Africans. An exemplary show against Argentina in the opening match put them on course, and even the defeat against Japan did not deter them. A win was a must when they played Malaysia, and Cullen shattered the dreams of the home side with the match winner. Cullen was easily the pick of the frontline which also had useful strikers, Craig Fulton and Clyde Abrahams. Captain Craig Jackson and Darryn Gallaghar administered the mid-field but the strength lay in goal-keeper Chris Hibbert.
Jorge Lombi, who scored seven goals to top the list with a four-in-a-row against Malaysia in the bronze medal match, was the cornerstone for Argentina. Santiago Capurro and Tomas McCormik provided adequate support as was Mario Almeida. Argentina came back into contention after laying low Malaysia through a last minute goal by Jorge Lombi.
The Malaysian establishment has reasons to feel disappointed. Nine points from three successive victories was too big an advantage to be frittered away. But the Malaysians, who even beat India 2-1, capitulated taking three defeats in a row. All they needed was a point from Argentina or South Africa, but it proved like a mirage. Kuhen Shanmuganathan's failure to convert a stroke against Argentina depressed the team as nothing else. There were patches which made Malaysia, now coached by the renowned German, Paul Lissek, look like a champion outfit. The good work of Maninderjit Singh and Nor Azlan Baker in the defence, the attacking sallies of brothers Logan Raj Kali Kavandan and Kavin Raj Kali Kavandan coupled with the fluent runs of Chua Boon Huat on the flanks proved that the Malaysians are grasping the nuances of European style. Goal-keeper Roslan Jamaluddin was intrepid under the bar and caved in only when the defence was overwhelmed far beyond a point of time. Skipper Mirnawan, described as "the boss" by the media appeared not fully fit. In fact, there were reports he might give the tournament a slip to get into shape for the next World Cup. But he came into the reckoning, on the eve of the first match against Japan.
Japan showed excellent striking power in Yamabori, Tobita and Iwadate but loose defence always pushed it into the vortex of despair. Actually, in the last two games against Belgium, Japan had pumped in as many as 10 goals. Belgium's sixth placing masked its inherent strength. The team was very thrustful thanks to the work of Robin Geens, Marc Coudron, and Maxime Luycx. It was unfortunate that the team finished without a point.
As the substitute to Delhi, from where the tournament was shifted on fears of security, Malaysia conducted it as professionally as could be expected of a unit whose experience in playing host has now become an example to emulate. And none else than the FIH boss, Els van Breda Vriesman, acknowledged this fact at the media briefing on the final. Tan Sri Alagendra, the Deputy President, and the Organising Secretary, Mr. S. Satugunan, deserve a special mention as were the members of other committees. A medal of any hue would have done justice to the work put in by MHF.
The results: India beat Belgium 1-0, drew South Africa 2-2; lost to Malaysia 1-2; beat Japan 3-0; beat Argentina 2-1. South Africa beat Argentina 3-2, lost to Japan 2-3, beat Belgium 1-0; beat Malaysia 1-0. Argentina beat Belgium 3-1; beat Malaysia 2-1; Malaysia beat Japan 1-0; beat Belgium 2-0; Japan beat Belgium 6-2.
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