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Girls prevail, veterans please
THE INDIAN women hockey team on Wednesday trounced the State Bank of India (SBI) CGM-XI 7-3 in an exciting exhibition match that revived memories of the golden days of Bhopal hockey among many veterans who watched it.
THE INDIAN women hockey team on Wednesday trounced the State Bank of India (SBI) CGM-XI 7-3 in an exciting exhibition match that revived memories of the golden days of Bhopal hockey among many veterans who watched it.
Played at the Spores Authority of India, (SAI) Bishankhedi playground, the thrilling clash has induced a great hope for the woman team that is scheduled to represent India in the World Cup in Madrid later this month. The team has undergone a rigorous training at the SAI in the last one month.
The SBI CGM-XI team was studded with many international stars of yesteryears including Arjuna award recipeint Jalaluddin Rizvi, Khurshid Ali, Salim Abbasi, Altaf-Ur-Rehman and Sameer Dad.
The girls started off aggressively and scored first goal in tenth minute. Sameer and Altaf-ur-Rehman opened the account for the SBI team five minutes after conceding the first goal. By 25th minute the score was 2-2.
Later, SBI team skipper Jalaluddin said though the woman team’s challenge was quite formidable, the veterans clashed with equal aggression.
The Indian girls again took lead in 30th minutes. By this time veterans had begun to show tiredness. The first half ended with score 5-3.
In the second half, the girls totally dominated the scene. Mamta Kharab and Saba Anjum added two more goals to finish the match at 7-3.
Although the women team looked focussed, failure in converting penalty corners into goals was apparent. “The women team wasted four penalty corners and this must be a cause of concern for coach Kaushik”, remarked Saeed, a spectator. Chief guest of the match, Mayor Sunil Sood, extended good wishes to the women team.
On the occasion, SBI CGM S Bhattcharya, SAI director in-charge AK Sharma, Resident Editor Hindustan Times Askari H Zaidi, General Manager, Hindustan Times Fehmi Hussain, BMC sports coordinator Mahira Salamuddin, Arun Bhagoliwal, Subhash Borana, Saitish Saxena, City commentator Damodar Arya and other dignitaries were present.
Match Highlights
1 In the second half Mumtaz Malik had to come out of the ground as 12 players were playing in the first five minutes of the second half. He had undergone an operation a few days back.
2 On many occasions, the women team members looked frustrated when veterans snatched the ball from them.
3 Match ended before the final whistle, as the veterans were exhausted.
4 SBI team skipper Jalaluddin was the most attractive player. His dribbling was strong even today. On many occasion, he dodged the young girls.
‘We will win…’
THE INDIAN women hockey team is confident of posing challenge to the opponents in the World Cup in Spain. Striker Saba Anjum said that the pool is tough but they are set to challenge. “ We have been working hard. We will not disappoint”, said Saba. According to the skipper Jyoti Sunita Kullu, first match of the tournament is crucial. India is slated to play first match against Holland.
