Chennai: The World XI beat a joint Indo-Pak XI 5-3 in a benifit match to raise funds for the victims of the October 8 earthquake that killed thousands of people in India and Pakistan.
The match had all the flair of an exhibition match and was played in four quarters of 15 minutes each.
The Indo-Pak team took the lead in the second quarter but the world XI retaliated with two goals in 10 minutes.
It was Pakistan's Mohammed Shabbir who drew level five minutes later but in the third quarter, German Tibor Weissenborn put the World team in the lead again, in the 44th minute, before Tariq Aziz of Pakistan came up with a spectacular effort to make it 3-all in the 55th minute.
But two quick goals at the fag end of the fourth and final quarter sealed the fate of the Indo-Pak XI.
Dutchman Karel Klaver made it 4-3 in the 57th minute and Australia's Jamie Dwyer settled the issue, scoring a minute from time to complete a fine win for the World XI.
Newly appointed Indian Captain, Gaganajit Singh, though did not put too much premium on the match ahead of the big battles that lie ahead as India will seek to capitalise on home advantage and amend their dubious track record in the Champions Trophy.
The 27th editon of the hockey tournament begins at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai from Saturday.
Alongside world champions Germany, Olympic champions Australia, defending champions Spain and Rabo eight-nation tourney champions Pakistan, India is left as the only team who have nothing special to flaunt.
So the Indians go into the tournament as underdogs as they have nothing to lose and any progress over their last year's performance of fourth-place finish will only add to the confidence of the team.
However, the glaring problem for the hosts will be the absence of the dependable defender Dilip Tirkey, who was also originally named captain, as he has been one of the most consistent performers over the last decade.
Gagan Ajit Singh may have the leadership qualities to command respect, but the star striker cannot escape the burden at the back created due to the absence of an ailing Tirkey.
If any of the able linkmen like Viren rasquinha or Ignace Tirkey is asked to give support to the defence, then it would also affect game in the midfield.
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The revised schedule might have eased the Indians up a bit as they are meeting Spain tomorrow instead of the powerful Aussies in the opener.
But, that cannot make much discount on the pressure front as the hosts would meet archrivals Pakistan, who are in cracking form and are boosted up by the return of theit captain Mohammad Saqlain, the next day.
At least, the hosts, who have finished disappointing fifth and seventh in Azlan Shah and Rabo tournaments respectively this year, cannot afford to lose the first two games before meeting stronger sides like Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.
Indian coach Rajinder Singh expressed confidence that India would exploit the home advantage to put up a good show.
"I hope we will do well on home turf," Singh said.
Spain, who won the title in Lahore last year, are also no push-overs as they have shaped up well under the able guidance of coach Maurits Hendriks. The recent feather in their cap is the European Championship title win this year which they achieved by upstaging stronger sides like the Netherlands and Germany.
However, Hendriks is not overconfident knowing well that the elite six teams are in the fray and none would take it lightly considering the fact that this is the first major tournament before the all important World Cup next year.
"No team is going to be a push-over at this event. The difference among the six teams is just marginal. I am particularly impressed by Pakistan's resurgence. I have to get my boys back to top intensity despite missing my imjured captgain Juan Escarre," Hendriks said.
The Germans, who have not won the tournament since 2001, would also be eagerly looking forward to return as winners.
The Australians, who opted out of last year's Champions Trophy in Lahore due to security reasons, have high hopes from the tournament as they fielded a strong line-up boasting 13 gold medallists from last year's Athens Olympics team.
( With inputs from Rohini Mohan in Chennai and Meha Bhardwaj in Delhi)
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