India bows out of Junior hockey World Cup

New Delhi: Korea crushed Indian dreams, holding the hosts 3-3 in an action-packed Pool C game of the Hero Hockey Junior World Cup here on Tuesday night, to knock them out of medal contention.

The hosts needed an outright win to advance to the quarter-finals, and they were well in control till the 57th minute leading 3-1 until Korea's drag-flicker Seungju You ­ he scored all three goals on the day -turned the game on its head with two quick strikes (58th and 60th minutes).

From 1-3, the scores were levelled 3-3 and India could never get the grip on the game from there on. Ironically, they had done everything right before that.

The Koreans made the intentions clear from the very first minute, defending in packs. Seungju You, Jinkang Rim, Yunseon Nam and Hanyoung Yoo chased the Indian strikers like shadows, foiling every home move.

In turn, their plan was simple. The team were swift on counter-attacks and the gaping holes in Indian defence early on only helped. Making use of a similar opportunity, Korea earned a penalty corner in the 16th minute, which Suengju converted with ease.

Drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh kept the hosts in contention, scoring off back-to-back penalty corners in the 32nd and 35th minutes after the hosts had wasted two earlier chances. India led 2-1 at half time.

A combined effort from Ramandeep Singh and Satbir Singh followed by a brilliant diving effort from Mandeep saw India make it 3-1 in the 45th minute. And the hosts seemed well on their way to victory, until the late charge from the opponents.

The last few minutes were intensely fought, with India trying hard to break through. But the Koreans seemed determined and erupted in wild celebrations at the hooter. India will now take on Argentina in the 9th12th place classification games.

Germany in quarters Germany assured them selves of a quarter-final berth, with a 6-0 win over Egypt in Pool A. The defending champions took time to open up, but stepped it up in the second half. An own goal followed by strikes from Niklas Bruns (two),Christopher Ruhr (two) and Mathias Muller saw them through.

Later, Pakistan came up with their best show of the tournament, keeping Belgium under check with a 2-0 lead till the 59th minute, before the European champions Results: Pool A: Germany 6 Egypt 0, Pakistan 2 Belgium 2 Pool C: Holland 7 Canada 0; India 3 Korea 3 Quarter-finals lineup: Belgium vs France, Malaysia vs Korea, Australia vs Germany, Holland vs New Zealand.

Batra takes responsibility for India's ouster from Junior WC

Batra takes responsibility for India's ouster from Junior WC

New Delhi: Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra today took moral "responsibility" for the country's early ouster from the Hero FIH Junior Men's World Cup and apologised to the fans for letting them down.

India crashed out of the quarterfinal race of the ongoing World Cup after being held 3-3 by Korea in a must-win Pool C match at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, here last night.

The result meant that both India and Korea finished their pool engagements with four points apiece which was not enough for the home team to march forward.

The draw, however, was more than enough for the Koreans to progress to the knock-out stage along with pool toppers Netherlands as they have a better goal difference than the Indians.

"I personally take full responsibility for the dismal performance of Team India in Junior Men's World Cup in Delhi in failing to qualify for the quarterfinals yesterday," Batra said in a text message.

"Kindly do not put any blame on the team, the coaching staff and the high performance team. I, as head of all operations in Hockey India, take full responsibility and apologise to the nation, all hockey lovers, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Authority of India for letting them down," he said.

India will now play Argentina in the 9-12 classification match tomorrow while Korea will take on Malaysia in the quarterfinals.

Life comes full circle for Brown

Life comes full circle for Brown

DC/ HARPREET KAUR LAMBA

NEW DELHI: It takes a lot to slow down a hockey player. But much like life, sport too is often a cruel reminder that even the toughest in the business are not invincible.

Such was the case with South Africa's Under-21 defender Matthew Brown, whose life took a huge turn last year. Hale, hearty and a popular face among family and friends, Brown was making rapid progress in hockey and studies. Until one day, he suddenly lost his senses, emotions and even his memory .

“It all started in February 2012,“ said the 20-year-old in a chat with this paper. “I began to feel like I wasn't quite myself. I felt very tired and lazy when usually I am full of energy .

“I just wanted to be on my own and was keeping a lot to myself which was not like me at all, as I am a very social person,“ says the Johannesburg-based youngster, who is part of the South African team at the Junior World Cup here.

“Initially, my mom took me to see a doctor who recommended sleep and some energy boosters. However, I felt no different. In fact, I was feeling worse. My moods were changing I was getting really depressed and then really happy and back to being depressed. I knew this wasn't right.“

Detailed tests revealed Brown was suffering from autoimmune encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain. Gradually, he was unable to even small tasks of life and was confined to a hospital bed for a period of five months. Ask him and the youngster cannot recall “anything“.

“I only know that I was taken there one day .. and that is all I remember. My parents were by my side throughout, so was my younger brother. It was a lot to handle for them too. My mother told me that I used to get extremely violent and was under heavy medication. “But in the end, it all fell in place with treatment,“ says Brown.

Once out of hospital, Brown was determined to return to the hockey field.