Hockey DRAW WITH GERMANY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29715, 8 January 1962, Page 5

Hockey DRAW WITH GERMANY

N.Z. Team At Ahmedabad (N.ZJ’_A.-R«ut«r— Copvripht) AHMEBADAD (India), Jan. 6. “Hie New Zealand hockey team gave the Olympic bronze medalists, Germany, a hard time in their match in the International Hockey Tournament at Ahmedabad today, but due to their lack of finish they held to a "'rie-to-one draw. The Kiwis could have won the match comfortably if advantage had been taken of ail the openings made by their outside right. Judge. New Zealand, who were more skilled than the Germans, dominated the match for long spells, but in all their moves on the right wing only Judge was clever and fast on the ball, and exploited to the full with through passes from the in-side-right, Hobson. The forwards on the left wing also crowded into the middle and made the German defence easier. The Germans had a hard lot replying with long diagonal passes and fast breakaway tactics. Midway through the first half their efforts had more potential, but the Kiwi right back, Abrams, foiled many moves. The Germans inside right Schuller, broke through from a free hit on the left sideline to take the first scoring shot.

New Zealand then turned the tide. Their moves up the right wing deserved goals, but the other players usually fumbled or were out of position. With hardly 10 minutes left in the second half the Kiwis deservingly scored when their left back, Browne, converted a penalty corner, and they looked the winners But the Kiwis, though clearly the better side, made the mistake of falling back on their defence.

In the closing minutes the Germans forced a penalty corner and their centre-for-ward, Keller, bundled the ball from a scrimmage for the equaliser. India, runners-up a the 1960 Olympics, trounced Japan 11 goals to nil in the first match in the tournament. India led 7-0 at halftime.

India, who have been building up their team to recover the Olympic title lost to Pakistan, started a scoring spree right from the start when the right back, Prithpal, converted a penalty corner.

The Indians’ skill and control over the ball and their closeknit precision passing proved too much for the Japanese defenders.

The tournament started with an Olympic-style marchpast and a fanfare of trumpets.