Men’s Olympic Qualifiers –India survive Poland scare, meet France in final

The inability to convert chances from open play coupled with defensive shortcomings almost cost India dear as they rallied to beat Poland 4-2 in their last pool match of the Olympic qualifiers at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi tonight.

Thankfully, the men in blue had already qualified for the final in the previous match and they will be relieved to face France, whom they had beaten 6-2 in a pool encounter earlier, in the title round. Had Poland tied the match, they would have gone through. The score was level 1-1 at half-time. India will now have to beat France in the final to seal their ticket to London 2012.

Tomasz Dutkiewicz gave the Poles the lead in the 13^th minute from their first penalty corner but Sandeep Singh restored parity in the 26^th minute with a drag flick. Shivendra Singh then put India ahead in the 60^th minute but Miroslav Juszczak made it 2-2 from Poland’s third penalty corner (63^rd minute). V R Raghunath (65^th minute) and Sandeep (70^th minute) with his 11^th goal of the tournament then helped India seal a thrilling victory with their successes from the set piece routines.

The Michael Nobbs-coached side blitzed the Polish fortress with numerous sorties in the first half but the visitors miraculously survived the frenetic assaults with goalkeeper Mariusz Chyla, the ‘Hero’ of the evening, denying the hosts on several occasions. The first time he was beaten was in the 26^th minute when Sandeep Singh’s perfectly executed drag flick found the net off India’s fourth PC.

Poland did well to frustrate India who forced their first chance in the third minute itself when Danish Mujtaba pushed the ball onto Chyala’s chest from close. The Polish custodian then denied Shivendra Singh after the Indians conjured up a brilliant move from the left. In between, Tushar Khandekar hit the outside board after Sandeep had found him free in the circle with a slap shot.

On the other hand, the big made Poles just had two worthwhile attacks in the first half and they converted one and almost scored from the other as confusion raged in the Indian defence. Poland earned their first penalty corner in the 13^th minute from their first attacking move and Tomasz Dutkkiewicz gave them the lead after he flicked the ball forcefully into the nylons from a brilliant variation that completely hoodwinked the Indian defence.

In the second half, Poland defended well and denied the Indian forwards any openings, a familiar scenario that confronts India when they play against European teams. The hosts had over 30 circle penetrations and just one field goal to show for their efforts.

With an all-win record India finished with 15 points, followed by France (10 points), Poland (9), Canada (7), Italy (3) and Singapore (0). France made sure of their place in the final by holding Canada 1-1 today and luck was with them later as Poland faltered in their quest for a final slot.