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KARACHI, Oct 21: Rotterdam’s mayor has assured that Pakistan hockey team would be provided adequate security during next month’s Champions Trophy hockey tournament in the Dutch city, reports received here said Sunday.
Ivo Opselten, mayor of Rotterdam, has conveyed to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that maximum efforts would be made for their team’s security.
“We will take extra security measures not only for Pakistan but for all other teams participating in the event,” Opselten said.
Opselten also held a press briefing Saturday after the city management received renewed threats that the tunnels would be blown away. “The threats will not disturb us and we keep our resolve for holding the event in a smooth manner,” said Ospelten, under whom Dutch Hockey Association works.
Pakistan hockey officials had raised concerns over the security of the Pakistan team in the wake of attacks on Muslims in Europe following the Sept 11 attacks on the US.
Reports regarding mosques ransacking and hate crimes against Muslims in The Netherlands and Belgium prompted Pakistan to discuss the issue with the International Hockey Federation (FIH). FIH had also assured Pakistan of adequate security in The Netherlands.
The 23rd edition of the annual six-nation Trophy was originally scheduled to be held in Lahore, but was shifted to Rotterdam due to security fears in the region.
Top six teams — The Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, England, Pakistan and Germany — will compete in the November 3-11 event.—SADA
HOBART (Australia): India overwhelmed Argentina 6-1 to win the Junior World Cup here Sunday.
Prabhjot Singh opened the scoring for India in the 11th minute after receiving a pass from Bipin Fernandez at the top of the circle and knocking a reverse stick shot past Argentinian keeper Joaquin Berthold.
India notched another from their second penalty corner in the 17th minute, when Jugraj Singh fired his drag flick high to the right of Berthold for a 2-0 lead.
The Argentinians found their confidence in the second quarter and matched India for the number of shots on goal (five) and possessions in the Indian circle (eight), but they were unable to find the net.
India came out fast in the second half, piling the pressure on the Argentinian defence to earn three penalty corners in the first three minutes, none of which they were able to convert. Jugraj could get only one clear drag flick on goal and that was saved low and to the right by Berthold.
Argentina clawed one back through Lucas Cammareri in the 44th minute but India replied immediately to break the Argentinians’ spirit. Jugraj converted from India’s seventh penalty corner of the game with a drag flick into the top right of the net.
Deepak Thakur scored three times in the last 15 minutes as Argentina went on an all out attack, leaving huge gaps in their midfield which India were able to exploit.
Deepak finished as the highest scorer of the tournament with 10 goals.
Sunday’s results:
1st to 4th
India 6 Argentina 1
Germany 5 England 1
5th to 8th
Australia 0 Spain 2
South Korea 3 Netherlands 2
FINAL POSITIONS:
1st India; 2nd Argentina; 3rd Germany; 4th England 5th Spain; 6th Australia; 7th Korea; 8th Netherlands; 9th New Zealand; 10th France; 11th South Africa; 12th Malaysia 13th Scotland; 14th Ireland; 15th Chile; 16th Canada.—AFP
