Hockey: Birthday boy Diwakar’s hat-trick gifts India winning start

Birthday boy and captain Diwakar Ram struck a hat-trick to gift India 3-2 win over World Champions Argentina in their opening Under-21 Test match at the Ciudad Club de Buenos Aires here.
India had some early scares with Argentina exhibiting electric forays, unnerving the visitors’ defence but they soon came to terms with the opposition stepping up their pace with flair and fluency.

Diwakar scored his first goal in the ninth minute and consolidated their position just 10 minutes later through a penalty corner conversion. India led 2-0 at the lemon break.

After changing sides, India increased their lead to 3-0 in 55th minute while the Argentines only reduced margins by sounding the board in the 64th and 67th minutes of the game.

Earlier, India forward Jay Karan was set up by midfielder Vikas Sharma inside the striking circle before he was obstructed by Nahuel Salis.

The resultant penalty corner was sunk in by Diwakar with a low dragflick past goalkeeper Ezequiel Olivero in the ninth minute.

Stung by this reversal, Argentina tried to find an equaliser and earned their first penalty corner when a breach was committed inside the crowded circle by full back Innocent Kullu.

However, even though custodian Mrinal Chaubey warded off the attempt from Augustin Cabrera the umpire ruled it illegal resulting in a penalty stroke.

Hockey: India juniors play Argentina in 1st hockey test

India will look to counter the robust tactics of world champions Argentina in their first of the four-match junior hockey test series at the Ciudad de Buenos Aires Club here tomorrow.
India will also clash with Holland in a one off test here on Friday.

The 20-member Indian squad led by drag-flicker Diwakar Ram had light training today after arriving here yesterday.

The under 21 team missed out on a tour to Pakistan last month due to government not granting them permission. However, they competed in the Senior Nehru Hockey tournament and won the coveted title.

Coach AK Bansal is confident that his charges will be well-prepared to counter the robust tactics of Argentina.

“We will play hard and not be cowed down,” said Bansal.

India will have Mrinal Chaubey in the goal while the deep defence will be manned by Diwakar Ram and Innocent Kullu.

The midfield responsibilities will be shouldered among Birender Lakra, Vikas Sharma, Vivek and Manjeet Kullu. Wingers Pramod Kumar and Danish Mujtaba along with strikers Jay Karan and Asif Khan are expected to provide the sting in the attack.

Argentina coach Pablo Lombi said that the series would be well fought and this would help both teams in their preparation for the Junior World Cup in Singapore and Malaysia in June next year.

Argentina, who were trounced by India 6-1 in the final of 2001 Junior World Cup at Hobart, Australia, are captained by defender Martin Gebhardt. They will orchestrate a compact defence and midfield strategy and hope for strikers Augustin Mazzilli and Santiago Montelli to come good and score the goals.