New Delhi: India registered their third consecutive win in the Olympic Qualifiers after thrashing France 6-2 at the National Stadium. Shivendra Singh featured in four goals and Sandeep Singh scored his second hat-trick in as many games to top the pool.
India dominated the first half for the third consecutive time in the tournament. In the first five minutes India made it clear that they are a team on the mission as they had their opener in the 4th minute. Shivendra Singh has been playing well gave no chance to the French goal keeper, Sardar Singh as usual was the man who gave the pass to the goal scorer. Shivendra was not done though as he played a pivotal role in India earning their first penalty stroke which was easily converted into a goal by Sandeep Singh for India’s third goal in the 30th minute.
In between these two goals Indian spectators saw the reason why Sandeep is considered to be one of the world’s deadliest drag-flicker. The first opportunity that he got in the 9th minute saw Sandeep showcasing his talent as the goalkeeper was clueless about his stroke.
France showed that they will not be a pushover as they came back with their first goal in the second short corner that they got. Lucas Sevestre took a leaf out of Sandeep’s book as he defeated the Indian captain with a clean shot in the dying seconds of the first half.
The side changed but not the game. Shivendra who is looking in ominous form single handedly won India its second Penalty corner in the 37th minute and Sandeep did the rest to complete his second hat-trick of the tournament and put the score at 4-1 in favour of the hosts.
What happened in the 39th minute was a treat to watch for every spectator present at the stadium. Shivendra and Sunil tore through the French defence and unlike the last time where they earn the stroke this time they converted their tremendous run into India’s fifth goal. Shivendra did all the hard work by beating the goalkeeper and giving the pass to Sunil who did not let his senior partner down.
India earned their 4th short corner in the 48th minute. Both Sandeep and VR Raghunath were in the middle and for the first time India tried the variation that their coach Michael Nobbs have been talking about for some time. It didn’t work though as the Indians looked confused and Raghu’s shot did not have any pace and was stopped easily.
Fabien Magner did some good work in the opportunity that he got in the 57th minute through a penalty corner as he became the second French drag-flicker to beat Bharat Chetri tonight for their second goal.
India scored their 6th goal from a clean strike from the veteran Tushar Khandekar who before that minute looked virtually invisible in the match.
By Gaurav Jha
Indian Sports News
