Aussies beat India with late goal

India lost yet another close match in the Azlan Shah hockey tournament, going down fighting 2-3 to Australia, at the National hockey stadium, in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday.

This young Indian side gave the Olympic bronze medalists a harrowing time after taking an early lead in the match but was forced to end up on the loser's side thanks to a last minute goal by Troy Elder.

In another match, Germany thrashed South Korea 5-2 to maintain their hundred per cent record.

It was India's third straight defeat following a draw against Malaysia in their opening match. For Australia, it was their second victory. They beat Pakistan in their opening match and then were thrashed by Germany before drawing with England.

India, who drew with Australia 2-2 at the Sydney Games, deserved at least a point on Tuesday, if not a win. Backed by some fine co-ordination between their midfield and forwards, of whom the versatile Mukesh Kumar and young Deepak Thakur were prominent, they had chances galore but the tendency to hold on to the ball too long inside the circle proved their undoing.

After some midfield play, during which both teams took time to settle down, India went ahead in the 14th minute from their first penalty-corner. It was a clever variation as the young Jugraj Singh sold a dummy and laid a diagonal for Deepak Thakur. The speedy forward was on the ball in a jiffy and slammed home, much to the dismay of goalkeeper Mark Hickman.

The Aussies were quick to hit back. They always looked dangerous during counter attacks and one such foray into the Indian half caught the defence napping as Jamie Dwyer broke through. Goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, who had a good match, did well to block his shot but couldn't prevent the striker from scoring from the rebound.

India could have easily crossed over at the breather a goal up had captain Mukesh Kumar not botched perhaps the easiest of chances to come his way. He dribbled past a couple of defenders and even beat the goalkeeper but tapped wide with an open goal in front of him.

Australia forged ahead in the 37th minute from their sixth penalty-corner, this time Matthew Smith made no mistake.

The Indians went all out for the equaliser and pressed more men in attack. The pressure paid off in the 64th minute. Following a quick passing bout from midfield, Deepak Thakur scored with a deft shot.

But just when it looked as if the Indians would pick their second point, came a goal just before the hooter went off. A defensive lapse saw the Aussies force a penalty-corner and Elder was bang on target. In sum, India paid the price for needlessly defending and not holding posession.

Bjorn Michel, who scored four goals including a hat-trick in Germany's 5-1 victory over Malaysia on Monday, was again in the thick of action, scoring three goals on Tuesday as Germany rallied to beat Olympic silver medalists South Korea 5-2.

With 12 points from four matches, the Germans lead the seven-team league followed by South Korea, Pakistan and Australia in that order. They have to play Pakistan and England are virtually through to Sunday's final.

It was South Korea who forged ahead in the 26th minute through Yeo Woon-Kon, who converted a penalty stroke. But Bjorn Michel restored parity in the 33rd minute finishing off a pass from Oliver Domke and then put his team ahead five minutes later.

Kyung-Seok put the Koreans on level terms with a penalty-corner goal in the 42nd minute, but goals by Florian Kunz, from a penalty-stroke, in the 58th minute, and substitute Sascha Reinelt, in the 64th, took the fight away from them.

Michel then went on to complete the rout with a goal in the 70th minute.

Complete Coverage: Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament, 2001