Field Hockey Canada
MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM
1999 Australian Tour

1. Canada
2. Korea
3. Australia
4. India

--- Canada Clinches Australia Cup --- by Bruce Hamilton in Canberra

Canada drew 1-1 with Korea on Sunday in Canberra to take the Australia Cup in the 4 Nations tournament between Korea, Australia and India. Rob Short scored the short-handed equaliser for Canada, 8 seconds from the end of the game, to ensure Canada took home the Australia Cup.

Canada controlled the pace of the game in the scoreless first half. Canada and Korea had two scoring chances each in the first half. Jeon Hong-kwon missed a hard deflection to him from Jeon Hong-ha and a minute later Hwang Jong-hyun failed to direct his chip into goal over Canadian goalkeeper Mahood who was down and no Canadian in the goal.

Canada’s chances fell to Paul Wettlaufer, close to goal, from a pass by Rob Short, which Wettlaufer could not convert as he rushed the shot. Ken Pereira also could not convert a pass to him from captain Peter Milkovich which found Pereira unmarked in the circle but unable to deflect the pass accurately into goal.

Korea had one penalty corner in the first half which Jeon Jong-ha drag-flicked to Mahood’s pads and easily cleared.

The first half ended with applause from the knowledgable crowd appreciating the skills of both teams.

Korea scored seven minutes into the second half from a penalty corner variation in which Yeo Woon-kon, in the battery, passed forward 3 metres and to the right, to Hwang Jong-hyun who drag-flicked to the left of Mahood. Korea had two more penalty corner set plays in the second half but could not convert them.

Fifteen minutes from the end of the game, the superior fitness of the Korean team started to show as Korea lifted the pace. The always-vocal Ian Bird could be heard exhorting his team to "get the legs going". He may have been directing his words to Bindi Kullar who looked leg-weary or to Tom Green, who was outrun by Hwang Jong-hyun. Green was given a rest on the bench. Or perhaps Alan Brahmst who was outrun by Hwang Jong-hyun when Hwang had the ball on the end of his stick.

Five minutes to go and Korea penetrated the Canadian circle at will but failed to convert three chances of goal with possession in the circle. With the crowd starting to count down the last 10 seconds of the game, Robin D’Abreo ran the ball towards the top of the circle and hit into the circle. The ball deflected onto the pads of Korea’s goalkeeper, Kim, Yoon, and into the air. Rob Short swatted the ball into goal as the crowd reached "eight".

After the game, Korean coach Kim Sang-ryul was critical of his team for turning over possession of the ball to Canada in the last minute of the game to allow Canada to mount its attack and score. "When I asked Yeo Woon-kon why he gave away possession he said he was confused by the colour of the shirts and he made the terrible mistake of giving possession to Canada", he said. Canada and Korea both played in red and white strip today. It was difficult throughout the match to distinguish quickly between players of opposing teams.

"I am very happy as the players played very well today. Canadians are such strong defenders but today our boys came out and analysed the Canadian game and how to make chances to score" Kim said.

Canadian coach, Shiaz Virjee, said he had some difficulty at the start of the game distinguishing between the players because of the similarity of the colours of the strip used by Canada and Korea. "It really wasn’t that much of an issue" he said. "We made some mistakes. We did not cope with the pace very well at times and they almost made us pay, but the defence recovered in time" Virjee said.

"I think we were out-played in the first half because the pace was such that any time we made a mistake, the Korean’s would zoom right past us. That was a concern to us. We did a fairly good job of controlling the pace for about 10 or 15 minutes in the first half. Other than that the Korean’s took the game to us. We were lucky to get off the ground at half time with nil-all score" he said.

"We tried to take the game to Korea in the last 10 or 12 minutes. The game opened up because we were taking some chances. Then Andrew Griffith got a yellow card [with 3 minutes on the clock] and that set us back" Virjee said. "We were looking on thinking ‘here is an opportunity that is slipping away’, and they came up big. The players did a good job. Its great to see that" he said.

"The positives have been that we have gained a lot of confidence. We played with a lot of confidence as the matches went on" he said. "There are a number of things we need to work on technically. We tend to lose the ball quite a bit in the midfield, so we need to correct that".

The Canadians are missing three players from the team which won the Pan-Pacific Championship to qualify for the Sydney Olympics. The Canadian squad is around 22 or 23 players and from that group the 16 will be chosen for the Sydney Olympics. "The majority of them are obviously here and now it is a matter of fitting in the right combinations to make sure we are ready to play in the Olympic tournament" Virjee said. "About 11 or 12 of the players here [in Canberra] will be there at the Olympics, barring injuries, but there are 3 or 4 players who are struggling to find a position and are competing for it" he said.

--- Canada pips improved India --- by S. Thyagarajan, The Hindu

CANBERRA, Sept. 17. Spells of rain and near freezing weather conditions were no deterrant to teams demonstrating skill, style, and strategy, virtues that constitute competitive hockey in the four- nation tournament here today. Even the Indian team recovered from the fiasco of the first essay to the level of almost snatching a point from Canada, which registered its second successive win from a late penalty stroke whose sequence and the award of it may raise many eyebrows. That the Indian team put up a far better show than on the opening day has to be emphasised while recounting the verdict in the second game.

As the evening gave way to night, Australia and South Korea were locked in a fierce battle for the ball which ended without a goal. It was a breathtaking contest. Incredible however is the fact that Australia has completed two matches without a goal and remains the only team in the fray with such ignominy. India, interestingly, has scored in both the matches.

India shuffled the combination in every layer. Jude Menezes came in for Edward Aloysius under the bar and the mid- field was reorganised with skipper Mohammad Riaz moving up front into the striking line. Inserting Anurag Raghuavanshi as the deep defender to assist Dilip Tirkey was also a wise move. The youngster showed the gumption and proficiency to hold his ground against the persistent attack from the Canadians.

Equally conspicuous was the enlarged mid-field in which Anwar Khan and Sukhbir Singh Gill were outstanding. Both created the openings for the frontline. Anwar Khan, the cynosure of all eyes, accelerated in a telling manner causing alarm to the rival defence.

In the frontline, Baljit Singh Dhillon played a valuable role, breaking the defence repeatedly although the support for him was not always adequate. Riaz struggled to adjust himself to his new part as did Baljit Singh Chandi at the right flank. Deepak Thakur filled the bill and needs to be encouraged as the main striker. Despite such aberrations, there was a noticeable verve in the Indian attack, which gave some anxious moments to the Canadian defence.

Like the opening day, Canada defended well, attacked consistently and held tightly in the mid-field. Ken Pereira, the hero of the Pan-American Games at Winnipeg, was in his elements. So was the left half Robin D'Abreo and Rick Roberts in the mid- field. As always, Peter Milkovich was confidence personified. Sweeper Ian Bird was given the honour of leading the team on winning his 100th cap. Bird would have given Canada an early lead but for the splendid goal-line save by Tirkey, after a flick by Milkovich from a penalty corner beat goal-keeper Jude Menezes. India missed a glorious chance when Riaz, having received the ball well from Dhillon, fumbled for a moment and lost control. Only goal-keeer Hari Kant was before him.

The Indians matched their rivals move for move. Baljit Dhillon controlled the pace in the frontline with Anwar Khan and Deepak Thakur weaving in and out of the area. Thakur failed to provide the finishing touches midway through after Dhillon and Anwar worked in tandem for clipping sally. The Canadians had to be content with a blank score board at the break, after goal- keeper Jude Menezes brought off a save from Rob Short.

Shortly after the break, the Indian goal survived a few anxious moments but Canada took the lead when Andrew Griffth deflected into the boards a grounder of a push from Peter Milokich in a penalty corner. The Indians retaliated and midway through Samir Dad produced a stunner that gave Hari Kant no chance. A powerful long hit by Baljit Singh Dhillon gave Dad the opportunity to give the ball a diverted route into the goal. From then on, it was even going though the Canadians showed more thrust and pace.

But it was India which came within an ace of scoring in the last quarter when a Baljit Singh Dhillon-Anwar Khan combination move was thwarted none too well by Hari Kant. As the ball bounced, Samir Dad scooped but it looped over the net. Everything pointed towards a draw till three minutes from end. At this point a quick surge by Canada culminated in Rob Short moving in with Dilip Tirkey angling to foil him. The ball actually had rolled over Tirkey's stick when the Korean umpire, Lee Won Seok showed the spot. Peter Milkovich converted for the match-winner.

While Shiaz Virjee was happy that his team had moved nearer to winning the trophy with six points in two matches, Baskaran, lamented over the inconsistency crept in in the last quarter, nullifying all the good work done before it. He was happy that the team played quality hockey and complimented the temperament shown by the youngsters, Anwar Khan, Raghuvanshi and Thakur and acknowledged the signficant role played by Dhillon and Saini.

--- Canada Dominate Australia --- by Bruce Hamilton in Canberra

There must be some jinks which haunts Australia's hockey captains. Last week Hockeyroo captain, Rachelle Hawkes, celebrated her 250th game for Australia which had occurred on the recent tour of the UK. A game Australia lost.

On Thursday, Kookaburra's captain, Michael York, celebrated his 250th game for Australia, in Canberra, his home town. And Australia lost to Canada 4:0.

The loss is a major upset in international hockey and shows Canada will be a force to be reckoned with at the Sydney Olympic Games.

Australia is ranked first in the world having won the Champions Trophy Tournament in Brisbane in June this year. Canada is not in the top 6 in the world and has never played in the Champions Trophy.

Canada sealed the game with three goals in the first half. They had three chances and scored from two field goals and a penalty corner. By contrast, Australia's strikers, Baeden Choppy and James Elmer, received some very ordinary passes in the front 30 metres going forward and their touches on the ball were erratic, to paraphrase Australia's coach, Terry Walsh. There was no finish by the Australians, particularly in the first half when some Australian players appeared to be watching the game rather than playing in it.

Canadian Coach Shiaz Virjee played down the significance of the win, calling it merely "a step in the right direction for us. This is only one game. It's not the gold medal in the Olympics or the World Cup. You have to keep the win in perspective," he said. Virjee admitted to being surprised and delighted with the win.

Terry Walsh said "The first half was very poor. The way we played was without a real feel for the qualities of international hockey and the requirements of it. The power, the speed and the tempo of the game were in Canada's hands, not in ours. They played very well on the counter-attack."

Canada were quick and sharp in the first half. Invariably first to the ball and invariably winning 50:50 contests for the ball and running the ball into attack.

Rob Short opened the score for Canada with a hard backhand strike to the top of the net in the 6th minute. Australia looked stunned but determined. Both sides entertaining the small crowd with fast, attacking hockey.

Andrew Griffiths took his chance when he ran the ball into the circle in the 15th minute with a strike past Australian goalkeeper Damon Diletti from 2 metres out and 5 metres wide of the right side of the goal.

Canada took the game to Australia and played the physical game Australia plays. Bindi Kullar playing on Jay Stacy was one of the highlights of the first half. Another was Ken Pereira match his speed with the ball on the wing with Baeden Choppy. The honours were even on both occasions.

Two minutes from the end of the first half, Canadian Captain, Peter Milkovich took the scoreline to 3:0 with a penalty corner drag-flick along the ground which caught an Australian stick and deflected high into the net

Since Terry Walsh has coached Australia, an Australian team has not gone into the locker room at half time trailing 3:0.

Walsh introduced Stephen Holt into right half in the second half which steadied the Australian defence and contained the Canadian fast breaks.

Australia tightened up it's play after the break, sharing rather than losing 50:50 encounters, and making chances in the circle. Taylor, Brennan and Elmer had opportunities to make field goal conversions and Australia had 6 penalty corners in the second half and could not convert any.

Paul Wettlaufer earned the 4th goal for Canada when Paul Gaudoin stick checked Wettlaufer's shot on goal and a stroke was awarded to Canada 2 minutes from time. Ian Bird put the stroke low and to the left of Diletti to conclude the rout of Australia.

Tomorrow, Canada play Korea. The last meeting of the two teams was in Malaysia in at the Shah Azlan Cup in April this year when Korea won 4:2. That result may not be repeated tomorrow as Canada have improved greatly. Korea are returning from a 6:1 drubbing of India and will be out to prove they are the best in this 4 nations tournament.

Spare a thought for Australia's Captain, Michael York. There was little to celebrate today and the occasion was not marked with any ceremony or gift giving. Unlike the celebrations for Rachelle Hawkes last weekend after the Australian women won against New Zealand.

CANBERRA, Sept. 16. What a sombre day it was for India and to the start of the four-nation hockey tournament here! Persistent rain and a stiff wind injected a melancholic mood which was worsened by the Indians' pathetic show against Korea. This was in sharp contrast to the majestic manner in which Canada outplayed and outmanoeuvred the Champions Trophy champion, Australia, by a whopping margin. If this is not bearding the lion in its own den what else ?

Just compare the preparatory work of India and Canada after qualifying for the Olympiad. While India is groping in the dark unable to do anything right after the Bangkok triumph, Canada is retaining the combination that produced a memorable win against Argentina in the Pan-American Games in July. The confidence borne out of that win which, understandably, caused a nationwide euphoria in Canada, has now doubled with the spectacular success the team achieved against the potential gold medal winner in the Sydney Olympics.

(... / ...)

Canada was confident, crafty and convincing. Seizing every chance forked up by the hard-working defence, the frontline gave an impeccable display. If the strategy was to limit the pace and punch of the Aussie raids and wait for the right opening to force the rival defence into errors, then the Canadians were enormously successful in it.

The credit for shaping such a fine combination which has the potential to become part of the elite group soon, should go to Shiaz Virjee, who was modest enough to state that the success goes to the players.

Hardly the favourite when the ball rolled this morning, the Canadians can be termed even a possible winner of the Cup here. So effective is the defensive phalanx there is no strike line which can confidently tackle it. Sweeper Ian Bird symbolised this as did goalkeeper Mike Mahood with a sterling performance. The midfield, controlled with poise by skipper Peter Milkovich and supported well by Robin D'Abreo and Bindi Khullar, was like a solid bastion. The Aussie attack, which came in variegated patterns led by Mike Brennen, Jeremy Hiskins, Mathew Smith, and not to speak of the debutant, Ben Taylor, was no match to the Canadian defence, which denied the Aussies even a single penalty corner in the first half. By the time the Aussies secured one, the Canadians had scored three, all in the first half.

It was Rob Short who bewildered the seasoned Aussie 'keeper, Damon Diletti, with a backhander early in the contest. Pepped up by this spectacular effort, the Canadians sensed victory and began working on it diligently. Midway through Andrew Griffiths hit the target from a push by Peter Milkovich and before half-time, the skipper, Milkovich put himself on the scorers' list.

Stunned by the disaster they faced, all the Aussies could do was go all out. A spate of penalty corners - seven in the second half - was an opportunity to regain some lost pride. Fierce shots by Jay Stacy were padded away with aplomb by Mike Mahood. The Aussies might not have bargained for a bigger margin of defeat but it did happen with a couple of minutes remaining for the hooter. A stick-check on Griffiths by Paul Gaudoin forced umpire Elders to declare a stroke which Ian Bird converted without fuss.

For the Aussie skipper, Micheal York, it was a great occasion to be applauded on his 250th International appearance before the start of the match. But the verdict of the day may haunt him forever.

The start of the match was delayed by 30 minutes because the TV link was not available.

1. Australia
2. Korea
3. Canada
4. India

--- India lose to Canada in High Scoring Encounter --- by Bruce Hamilton in Sydney

Politicians say "a week is a long time in politics" . The saying applies to the Canadian men's hockey team playing at the Olympic test event in Sydney. Last Sunday, Canada drew 1-all with Korea to win the Australia Cup in the 4 Nations competition which also involved India and Australia. This Sunday, Canada played off against India for the wooden spoon in the Olympic test event in Sydney, this time taking the third place with a 5–3 win after being down 2-3 early in the second half.

India fell to last place in Canberra and came into the game against Canada with a loss against Australia (3-5) and a win over Canada (3-2) and a draw with Korea (0-0) earlier in the week. Canada's record was two losses to India (2-3) and Korea (2-3) and a 1-all draw with Australia. On the statistics, India had a better goal difference of 6 for, 7 against. Canada had 5 goals for, 7 against.

In cool, steady, rain the Canadian and India teams stood for their respective national anthems at 2:30 pm, shortly before the 110,000 sell out crowd at Stadium Australia nearby stood for the Australian national anthem to commence the final of the rugby league competition.

The first 5 minutes, Canada controlled the ball, keeping India pinned in its half with the hockey equivalent of a full court press. When India made its first run into Canada's half, it was through Baljit Singh Chandi. This youngster has had difficulty adjusting to the pace of international hockey on this tour, but turned this around by combining well with Samir Dad to work the ball along the right wing to the circle. Chandi's cross was not collected by Dad in front of goal. However, Deepak Tahkur worked the ball to the edge of the circle from the left and struck a hard backstick shot along the ground direct to the pads of Mike Mahood in the Canadian goal. Mahood failed to stop the shot and India went ahead 1-nil in the 6th minute.

Canada replied a minute later with a penalty corner conversion by captain Peter Milkovich's drag-flick high to the left of Edward Aloysius in the 7th minute.

Baljit Singh Chandi and Gagan Ajit Singh combined well to attack the circle from the half way. With only Mahood in goal to beat, Singh could not control the ball to make his shot on goal.

Canada scored their go-ahead goal through Paul Wettlaufer in the 14th minute. Robin D'Abreo took a free hit just outside the Indian circle, finding the stick of Wettlaufer whose simple deflection into goal went past the left knee of Edward Aloysius in goal.

India was stung into attack. Dileep Thakur on the left, Gagan Ajit Singh and Samir Dad in the middle and Baljit Singh Chandi on the right lifted their work rate. Sukhbir Singh gill and Samir dad had scoring chances defeated by excellent goal tending by Mike Mahood. The crowd of 4000 was entertained by quality hockey for the remainder of the first half and the teams took the break with Canada leading 2 – 1.

India came onto the park after the break with renewed purpose and commitment. Dilip Tirkey slotted a penalty corner conversion 5 minutes into the second period, deftly hitting past the feet of the logged Mahood, after Dilip Thakur was brought down in the circle to earn the corner. India was back in the game with the score even at 2-all then went ahead 3 – 2 a minute later when Dilip Thakur deflected a pass from Baljit Singh Chandi to the pads of Mike Mahood, collected the rebound and scored.

Mike Mahood was replaced by Hari Kant in the 48th minute.

Canada commenced to grind down India's defence with a gritty display of never-say-die hockey as India packed its defence. Canada equalised with a penalty corner conversion by Rob Short in the 56th minute and went ahead with a penalty stroke conversion in the 64th minute to Peter Milkovich awarded by Dutch umpire, Peter Elder who adjudged that Dinesh Nayak had prevented a goal with his foot. Milkovich put the stroke high and to the left of Jude Menezes, who had replaced Edward Aloysius three minutes earlier. It appeared Aloysius had a stomach cramp rather than an injury.

India earned 4 penalty corners but converted none in the period from the 65th to the 69th minutes. Canada was awarded a penalty corner with 35 seconds to play. Peter Milkovich took the drag-flick which Jude Menzes batted down to find Andrew Griffith who back sticked the bouncing ball back past Menezes for the final goal and a scoreline of 5 – 3 to Canada.

After the game, Canadian coach, Shiaz Vijee had a message for the hockey players left behind in Canada. "If you want to be part of the ride to the Olympics, you better work harder than you have been doing at home because some of the boys over here have shown they can play and belong in the national team for the Olympics" he said.

India's coach and players refused to speak with the media for the second time in as many days, leaving the public to speculate on what may have been on their minds, before, during and after the game.

--- Canada and Australia Draw 1-All --- by Bruce Hamilton in Sydney

The 1-all scoreline was a sidelight to the hockey game between Canada and Australia at the Olympic test event in Sydney on Saturday night. The main talking point throughout the game and afterwards was the quality of the umpiring. Bias is not the issue, nor is the reputation of Peter Elders of the Netherlands and Blaise Monteiro of India. Both are men of the highest integrity, learning through experience the standard of umpiring required at international competitions. Both have much to learn.

Canada and Australia play a tough style of hockey with no quarter asked or given. But neither play with spite or animosity towards one another. Neither team has a member who would intend to harm an opposition player. Yet four yellow cards were issued in the game, three by Peter Elders. Australia's Stephen Holt and Daniel Sproule spent time on the penalty bench as did Canada's captain Peter Milkovich and Rick Roberts. On each occasion, the players and crowd of 3,000 were unable to fathom the reason for the suspension. After the game neither coach could say why his players were suspended.

(... / ...)

It is unfortunate when a fast-paced game between two fit and committed teams attracts attention becauseof the umpiring rather than the quality of the play.

Australia rested Mathew Smith and Paul Gaudoin while young Casey Ferguson warmed the bench again for Canada.

Neither team took full advantage of the opportunities for goals. Australia had a total of 23 goal attempts, Canada 10. Australia was awarded 9 penalty corners and Canada 4. Canada had 6 field goal attempts, Australia 14. But the only statistic that matters is goals in the net!

Jay Stacy showed again why he is one of the great midfielders with slashing runs over 40 and 50 metres to take the ball to goal. "Mouse" Brennan had a similar run. James Elmer was solid as the second of the two centre halves Australia employed at the same time, over shadowing Brent Livermore at times. Murray Richard was consistently sound with good positional play off the ball - the unflashy area of play often missed when evaluating a player.

For Canada, Ken Pereira and Bindi Kullar were contained by the Australian defence. Canada's outlet passes deep to Andrew Griffith and Sean Campbell went into space, but not the space into which the intended was running. Peter Milkovich was awarded a goal in the 48th minute when umpire Peter Elders saw Milkovich get a deflection on the ball from a hard pass into the circle. Australia's captain Michael York disagreed and asked Elders to consult with Blaise Monteiro, which Elders did, and confirmed his award of the goal.

Australia lifted as it played short handed without suspended Daniel Sproule, and Canada was without Rick Roberts, also on suspension. Space seemed to open for the Australian strikers in this period. Australia was rewarded with the equalising goal with both teams short-handed, a minute before Sproule returned to the pitch. Australia put players forward where Stephen Holt, as right wing/half, combined with James Elder in the circle to give Lachlan Vivian-Taylor the chance to slip the ball under Mike Mahood to score from a metre in front of goal.

In the last 5 minutes Australia attacked relentlessly with Canada failing to get the ball into their red zone in attack at any point in the remainder of the game. Australia was awarded a penalty corner with 24 seconds on the clock but Jay Stacy hit inaccurately. A second penalty corner was awarded to Australia with 6 seconds on the clock, but Stacy hit to Mahood's pads. Another penalty corner was awarded in extra time for a Canadian infringement, then another, and another! In all 4 penalty corners one after the other, with Australia failing to find the net for the go-ahead goal.

Canadian captain, Peter Milkovich commented after the game: "We had a moral victory after two disappointing matches. To come out with a draw against a very, very good team, the world's number one ranked team, is important in our mental preparation for the Olympics," he said.

Canada's coach, Shiaz Virjee, said "It was a good game. Very fast-paced by both sides. Both teams had some good chances. I was disappointed my team didn't finish off Australia today. We had a chance to win another one today and we let them off the hook. I'm disappointed with that. Some people may think a tie is still good against Australia and I think we are capable of doing a little bit better. Our expectation of ourselves and our team is that we are capable of being better - we should be being better. We let them off the hook today".

Asked about playing under lights in the Olympic games, Shiaz Virjee commented: "I am a little bit concerned about it. There is a certain glare in it. There are times when an aerial ball comes, you lose it out there. Also on the field, there are parts where you see dark spots on it and it is a little bit difficult. I am concerned about it for sure." Shiaz Virjee agreed with the comment of Australia's coach, Terry Walsh, on Thursday night that the Olympic competition should be held under the optimal conditions of daylight. "Athletes are going to train for years to be in the Olympic games. That is the ultimate dream of any athlete. When they come over here and they have trained so hard, they want everything to be just right. The playing conditions should be right, the lighting conditions should be right. They want no excuses - everything should be just perfect for them. It is important if they are going to spend so much money building all these facilities, that they schedule the games at the right times. Then there is no question about light glares, balls getting lost in the lights or some dead spots on the field. All those things are important," Shiaz Virjee said.

Australia's coach, Terry Walsh said after the game: "I thought we made very little of our chances. We had plenty of opportunities, There was a period of resurgence of effort and energy and vibrancy when we were reduced to 10 in the second period. From that moment it was a matter of when we were going to score. I am full of praise for our very high tempo performance in that period."

--- Korea Beats Canada 3–2 --- by Bruce Hamilton in Sydney

Peter Milkovich, Canada's Captain, said "It was extremely disappointing to lose" when he walked from the field after losing 3 – 2 to Korea on Thursday in Sydney at the Olympic test event. The 2-2 half time scoreline suggested a close game. Korea went ahead in the second half goal to ensure their win.

Korea started quickly, but with more composure, securing their first goal through Jung Seong-tae after 4 minutes. Seo Jong-ho found Jung in the circle and had no difficulty passing Hari Kant in goal for a relatively soft goal hit to Kant's left.

Hari Kant is the second goalkeeper on the tour and was given time in the net today to expand his experience.

After 12 minutes, the Canadian's had succeeded in slowing the game down to their pace from the frenetic pace set by Korea, but a brisk pace nevertheless!

Andrew Griffiths put Canada on the scoreboard in the 14th minute with a deflection into the net of a Peter Milkovich penalty corner drag-flick.

Korea came back in the middle 15 minutes to control the flow of the game, using astonishing speed to position their bodies around the ball after collecting the ball on the backstick, often close to the sideline. They wasted a goal attempt when the inbound sideline hit by Lim Jeong-woo, on the left and 16 metres out, found Yeo Woon-kon unattended at the top of the circle. Kant advanced and Lim attempted a backstick scoop over Kant into gaol. The attempt went high over goal.

Canada scored again to go one up on Korea in the 22nd minute. Bindi Kullar broke two Korean tackles from the midfield and accelerated with the ball to the circle. Kim Yoon advanced to the top of the circle to contest Kullar's shot on goal. Kullar held short of the circle by a metre while Kim found himself marooned at the edge of the circle, unable to advance out to Kullar. Kullar held, held and held the ball until he could see Paul Wettlauffer going to the left post where Kullar placed the ball, past Kim, to Wettlaufer diving to make the deflection into the unattended goal! The goal was marked by the patience shown by Kullar in not hurrying the attempt on goal, his maturity in looking for the lay-off pass and the simplicity of the execution.

Korea evened the score with a clinical penalty corner drag-flick by Yeo Woon-kon a minute before the end of the half. The flick went shoulder high to the left of Kant, into the net.

As the players walked off at the break, the discussion by Peter Milkovich with Australain umpire Paul Ludwig was animated.

Canada held Korea for the first 10 minutes of the second half until Korea forced a penalty corner in the 47th minute. The drag-flick by Korea went wide of the goal. Two minutes later, Korea attacked goal. Kant advanced to near the penalty spot to block a shot on goal but the ball went behind him. Alan Brahmst collected the ball as it rolled towards goal and ran back along the goal-line, carrying the ball, very close to the line. Jung Seong-tae swooped on Brahmst, tackled him near the post and back stick chipped into the open goal. It was almost an own goal by Brahmst...

Korea and Canada had unsuccessful penalty corner attempts later in the half. Peter Milkovich sent his drag-flick wide to the right of Kim in goal. Kant made a good safe of a Korean strike along the ground which Kant deflected out.

Canada's captain Peter Milkovich said after the game: "We let go of ourselves, mentally, we were just not there after we went up 2–1. Silly. Yet we played a reasonably good game, in parts of the game. When you play Korea you are going to get a game that goes up and down the ground a lot. They are exceptionally fit, as are we, but they have a bit more quickness. We didn't have the punch up front today. We had chances, as did they. Today they were a bit flat at the start and we jumped on them. We were doing different combinations of presses, then they got their legs and they started to move, and we didn't adjust properly."

Asked about his conversation with umpire Paul Lutwig, Peter Milkovich said: "I just want some consistency and that's what any player or team out there wants is a consistent game. They were calling one thing at one end and something different at the other end, so the players don't know and that's for both teams."

Canadian coach Shiaz Virjee commented: "I think we played really well in the first half and we were unlucky to give them a goal just before the half time. That changed the momentum a little bit. In the second half it just seemed that we couldn't get going. They applied the press on us and we started losing the ball in midfield and that affected the game. We still had a chance towards the end. We made a defensive mistake and they scored on that. It was not any brilliant play on their part. I thought our goalkeeper played well. If we had capitalised on some of the opportunities we had at the other end, going forward towards the end, we could have salvaged a tie out of this. I thought the guys played really well. We have able to keep pace with the Koreans last weekend and this week. I am quite encouraged by the way they have played. We wanted to try some of the other players we brought along. Last week we played the veterans a little bit more and this is what this test event is all about. When you do that, sometimes you pay the price with a loss. It's hard but you have to take the losses with the wins and build up for it."

--- From the Toronto Star ---

India went ahead early with the only goal of the first half by Anwar Khan today. Canada's 32-year-old captain Peter Milkovich, a veteran of more than 240 Tests, equalized with a deflection midway through the second period but India went ahead again when Deepak Thakur produced a brilliant backhanded smash from the top of the circle.

Arjit Singh made it 3-1 with a breakaway goal with three minutes remaining. Milkovich added a penalty corner to reduce the margin in the final minute.