SEOUL: Pakistan made an impressive, start to the defence of their Olympic Men’s Hockey Title on Sunday, beating Spain 51 in a group match at Songnam.

But India, the other Asian Giants, eight times gold medalists, were beaten the opening match of the tournament. They lost a group B game 10 to the Soviet Union, The fourth ranked European side

‘The only other time India have lost their ‘opening Olympic game was against New Zealand in 1976.

The Russians marked the Indians tightly and when they did elude the shackles, they failed to profit. They also failed to make anything of four first penalty comers and five in all,

The only goal was brilliantly taken by Igor Davy dov, the 22 year old R striker, in the fifth minute,

Pakistan struggled against Spain in the first half and trailed 10 to a fine comer goal by Juan Peon,

Two goals in a minute, early in the second half, turned the game Pakistan’s way. Their five open play goals were scored by Qamar Ibrahim (Two), Zahid Sharif (Two) and Tariq Sheikh.

The second half was punctuated by two ‘unpleasant flare-ups’ between the players.

NEW DELHI, Reuter; India on Monday rejected suggestions it should compensate England for the almost certain cancellation of this winter’s cricket tour,

“There is no question whatsoever of any compensation,” said Ranbir Singh Mahcendra, Secretary of the Board of Control for cricket in India (BCCI),

The proposed 11 week tour was effectively scupper when the Indian Government said Captain Graham Gooch and seven ‘other players on a united nations blacklist

Because of their links with South Africa would not be given visas.

English test and county cricket board chief executive Alan Smith said on Sunday the question of compensation would certainly be raised if the tour did not go ahead.

Mahindra said there were no provisions ‘under International Cricket rules for compensation to be paid if tour was cancelled,

The Indian Government meanwhile repeated its determination not to compromise in its policy of refusing visas to sportsmen with South African connections.

‘An external affairs Ministry spokesman said India’s attitude towards apartheid and such sportsmen was unchanged.

He also said the Government would have nothing to do with the compensation issue, which the BCCI would have to handle.

KARACHI, Reuter : The Pakistan Cricket board said on Monday it deplored Australian complaints about the umpiring and the wicket in the current test match.

‘As Pakistan cruised towards an overwhelming victory on the fourth day, Secretary Arif Abbasi said in a statement that the board had full confidence in umpires Mahboob Shah and Khizer Hayat.

The Karachi National stadium wicket was the same for both teams, it said.

Pakistan scored 469 for nine declared in their first innings, while Australia were all out for 165. Forced to follow on, they were 15 for three at tea on the fourth day and faced almost certain defeat.

Australian Manager Colin Egar protested publicly on Saturday that at least seven decisions had gone against his side, Australia had asked that Shah not be appointed for the remaining matches of the tour, he said.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 23, 1988