Day one in the women's Asia Cup hockey championship at the Queen Sirikit Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand produced no surprise results; nor anyone expected it to do so, given the imbalance among the contestants.
By S. Thyagarajan
Defending champion, Japan opened its campaigning brushing aside the challenge from Kazakhstan by 10 goals to nil in Pool B, leading 4-0 at half-time. Stunned by the system of attack by the Japanese, who netted three goals within seven minutes, the Kazakh outfit, which reached the city only late on Wednesday, took time to stem the tide.
They did that successfully, denying further success till late in the first half. In the second, the Japanese, notwithstanding the hot and humid conditions of the afternoon, added six more to emerge winner.
Mie Nakashima was outstanding for Japan netting, two in each half, while Keiko Miura began the proceedings with ├®lan netting two goals from penalty corners in a three minutes, the first one surfacing in the third minute.
Later, Japanese coach, Zenjiro Yasuda, admitted that heat took a heavy toll of the players who slowed down considerably for the major part of the match. He acknowledged that China is the best to win this event.
If Japan had a smooth sail, more comfortable was that for the former champion, Korea. The 17-0 verdict against a hapless Sri Lanka tells the story of it all in clear terms. Korea had absolute control of the contest from the word go and one was left with one questionÔÇöwhen will it end and what will be the margin. Seul Ki Cheon, penalty flicker had a sumptuous tally of eight goals.
Korea's new coach, Kang Keon Wook, who figured at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, is on a maiden voyage as the guide of the squad. He was happy at the result, and looking forward to a keen contest against the title holder, Japan, on November 3.
Malaysia had to be content with a 3-0 result against the host, Thailand, with whom it played a series of matches recently. The home team looked quite well prepared for the event with the Australian coach, Tim Kelly, imparting a touch of aggression in the team during his two week stay here.
Narumon Siriwat, the Manager, felt the team did not put up the fight expected. She was optimistic that the Aussie coach would put the team into a proper shape.
India clearly lacked the fluency expected of it taking a combination as Singapore. The latter allotted all their resources to spoiling the Indian attack in the circle and succeeded to a great extent. India forced as many as 24 penalty corners, but led 5-0 at half-time.
Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong played a goal-less draw in Pool B in the only match of Friday in the Women's Asia cup championship. Scheduled as a rest day, the match was fixed to accommodate the delayed arrival of the Chinese Taipei team.
