Indian hockey goalkeeper Bharat Chetri was not a very happy man despite the team's 3-2 win over Malaysia in their CWG opener at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium yesterday.
Indian hockey goalkeeper Bharat Chetri was not a very happy man despite the team's 3-2 win over Malaysia in their CWG opener at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium yesterday.
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| Indian players celebrate their first goal against Malaysia yesterday. India won 3-2. pic/AFP |
Chetri was disappointed on two counts ufffd firstly because he let in a simple opening goal and secondly because of a brief communication gap between him and his defenders cost the host the second one.
In the 15th minute, Malaysia's Hanafi Hafifihafiz neatly beat a couple of Indian defenders inside the circle but mis-hit his shot towards goal. "It was a mis-hit. The ball came slowly and I misjudged it and so was beaten," Chetri told MiD DAY after the keenly contested affair.u00a0
Malaysia's second goal came a minute from the breather, when Razie Muhammad found an unmarked Azlan Misron on top of the Indian striking circle. Misron easily beat an onrushing Chetri to the top of the net.
"I was trying to tell my defenders about the Malaysian forward who was left unmarked inside our dee, but with all the noise from the crowd, they could not hear me. And sadly, it was this communication gap that led to them scoring again," added Chetri.u00a0
India however emerged from the deficit on both occasions, thanks to their penalty corner expertise.
Central defender Dhananjay Mahadik (27th min) and Sandeep Singh (35th) drag-flicked home making it 1-1 and 2-2 respectively. And just when both teams looked to be splitting points, Bharat Chikara hit a crisp winning shot that sneaked into the near post.
