SUPERB HOCKEY

Evening Star, Issue 22030, 16 May 1935, Page 4

SUPERB HOCKEY

INDIAN TEAM'S OPENING GAME A GREAT COMBINATION [Pan United Press A.ssociaiiok.l r DANNEVIRKE, May 15. Playing superb hockey, the All-India team auspiciously opened its New Zealand tour by defeating Dannevirkc by 21 goals to 0. There was a large attendance and the game was played in perfect sunny weather. The fast ground was to the liking of the Indians, who played incomparable hockey. The reports of their play in Australia have hot been exaggerated. Dhyan Chanel was as outstanding as ever, and his brother, Ilup Singh, was little inferior. Dhyan scored the first goal of the New Zealand tour after a few minutes’ play, find found the net seven times more. Rup netted six goals, all in the first half, four being scored successively in about five minutes. Wells, the oldest member of the team, played a great game and was responsible for four goals. Fernandes and Shaba Buddin were very fleet wingers. The former is the youngest member of the team. He scored once, and Shaha Buddin twice. The half-time score was 12 goals to 0. Dannevirkc played a good game, improving in the second half. The goalkeeper (Chapman) saved repeatedly, but many of the Indians’ shots were impossible to stop. The scores came mostly from head-high shots to the corner of the net. The three inside forwards, Rup Singh, Dhyan Chand, and Wells, were very clever in _ the circle, the first two being especially adept in getting the goalie out of position. Dannevirke reached the Indians’ circle several times, and though several corners were conceded, was unable to score. BALL CONTROL A REVELATION. The visitors have wonderful combination, and their ball control is a revelation. They were always perfectly calm, and never lost a chance through ovei’eagerness or excitement. They showed beautiful stick work, although the Indian Army team’s tactics of taking the ball down the field on the stick was little used. Back passing and the scoop shot were largely exploited. All the members of the team were able to play reverse stick shots accurately, and their hard, clean hitting was a feature of the game. The Indians hit more judiciously than the losers, using less force for passing. They were a very speedy, highly skilled combination, with perfect understanding among all units, and they showed a variety of movements. They gained many corners, but few, goals were scored from them. Dhyan Chand and Rup Singh proved past masters at the art of dribbling. In fairness to the Dannevirke side it can bo stated that this was the first game of the season, and in the circumstances the team did very well.