No Respite For India From Abbas

Sohail Abbas equalled the world record for the highestnumber of goals with two brilliant strikes as Pakistan scored a fluent 3-1victory against India to widen their lead in the eight-match hockey seriestoday.

Pakistan, who were leading 2-1 after four matches inthe first leg at home, extended their lead to 3-1 as India failed to keep uptheir good work.

Ace drag flicker Abbas equalled Dutchman Paul Litjens'tally of 267 with goals from a penalty corner and a stroke to give the visitorsan easy win in the eventful match before a small crowd of 7,000 at the Capital'sNational Stadium.

India suffered a blow when captain Dilip Tirkey wasrendered doubtful for the remaining matches after he was felled by a Abbas hitthat struck the defender on the face in the 64th minute. Tirkey had to leave thefield and is now undergoing treatment in hospital.

India's chief coach Gerhard Rach also had to seek firstaid during the match after suffering dehydration. The German was administeredsugar treatment during half-time by team doctor Joginder Singh.

On the field, it was a below par showing by the Indians as they failed to takeadvantage of the home conditions. They were far from impressive for most part ofthe match and paid the penalty for missing numerous chances.

Pakistan took a 2-0 lead by half time, Kashif Jawaadscoring in the sixth minute and Abbas slamming home from the third penaltycorner that the side earned in the 29th minute.

India raised hopes of a comeback when Sandeep Michaeldeflected in from a free-hit taken by Dilip Tirkey in the 50th minute.

But the hosts failed to capitalise on the chances thatcame their way. They perhaps missed Gagan Ajit Singh, who is out of the seriesdue to a hamstring injury, as the forward is one such player who has the abilityto score from sudden moves.

India's golden chance of equalising was wasted whenHari Prasad failed to collect a fine cross from the left off Vikram Pillay inthe first half. Soon after, Prasad created a similar move but no Indian was athand to deflect it in.

"The results could have been different had wescored from those chances," assistant coach Jagbir Singh said.

"You can't win matches by missing easy scoringopportunities. When the score was 2-1, a goal from us could have given an entiredifferent result."

Pakistan, on the other hand, took time to settle downbefore stepping on the gas. They made repeated attacks on the Indian post whichresulted in one field goal early on and five penalty corners and a stroke.

Some smart work by Indian goalkeeper Adrian D'Souzastopped Abbas from scoring more than two goals in the match, thus making thecrack penalty corner expert wait till Chandigarh, the venue of the next Test, tobreak Litjens' record.

"I am ready to wait. It's very important for us towin and I am happy that I scored two goals. I don't mind that I could not breakthe record today. As long as it comes against India in this series, it'sokay," Abbas said.

The win must have eased a lot of pressure on the Pakistanis, who are now sittingpretty although three more matches are still to go in the series. A win inChandigarh would ensure Pakistan's continued domination of the bilateral seriesthat was first played in 1978.

Of the eight series played by the two sides so far,Pakistan have won five and India just two with one ending in draw.

"We are happy to start the Indian leg on a winningnote. Now we would be under less pressure as a win in one of the three matchesis enough to see us through," Pakistan captain Waseem Ahmed said.

Pakistan could not have asked for a better start inIndia as the team regained their rhythm, lacking somewhat back home, and playedas a unit. They used both the flanks to perfection to unsettle the Indians andtested the opposition defence with some fine moves.

The humid conditions and partisan crowd failed to deterthe visitors from taking a firm control of the match in the first half itself.

As for the Indian supporters, it turned out to be a bigdisappointment since they had hoped to see their team triumph in the Capitalwhich was hosting the arch-rivals for the first time in five years.

PTI