India, Pakistan to meet
Pat Rowley
India and Pakistan experienced contrasting fortunes in Champions Trophy on Tuesday on the eve of their match in the prestigious tournament.
India scored a rare victory over Australia, winning 3-2, while Pakistan were beaten 3-1 by Olympic champions Netherlands at the 24th edition of the event.
The Netherlands' second win took them to the top of the round robin table with seven points, a point ahead of Germany, who have a game in hand.
India's win moved them up to third place and left Australia facing the unthinkable -- relegation.
India have had little luck in collecting just one point from their first two matches at the Rot-Weiss club, but they enjoyed plenty of it on Tuesday.
Australia were by far the more dominant side, but failed to score from 16 penalty corners and numerous other chances while India put away the only corner they were awarded.
India's win on Tuesday was their first over Australia in eight matches and only their third in the last 25.
It also sent Australia to their fourth successive defeat -- three here and one last week. Australia have not lost four internationals in a row for over 60 years.
They dominated the first 12 minutes but India scored from their first attack, Jugraj Singh converting when a penalty stroke was awarded.
A lovely move ended with Deepak Thakur putting India 2-0 ahead in 17 minutes.
Scott Webster got Australia on the score sheet from a narrow angle but Australia continued to squander their chances and went 3-1 behind when Gagan Ajit Singh deflected in Dilip Tirkey's corner shot.
Dean Butler pulled back another goal for Australia who finished the game they should have won with a flurry of corners.
Pakistan and the Netherlands seemed evenly matched until the Dutch were fortunate to get two corners just before halftime. Take Taekama converted both with flick shots.
Man-of-the-match Teun de Nooiyer scored a third in the 41st minute with a brilliant deflection into the roof the Pakistan goal.
Dutch goalkeeper Gus Vogels had to make a number of stops to deny Pakistan, even saving a stroke, before Muhammad Nadeem snatched a last minute corner goal for Pakistan.
Also read:
India seize chances to shock Australia
Champions Trophy 2002: The Complete Coverage
