...Thrash South Korea, finish 7th

A few unexpected things happened as India overwhelmed South Korea, the Sydney silver medallists, 5-2 to finish seventh in the Olympic hockey competition on Friday.
India began the match with Dhanraj Pillay and Baljeet Singh Dhillon on the bench. The two veterans, expected to announce retirement on Friday, were added to the cast because injuries mounted up. Dhillon came in for Harpal Singh, who suffered a gash on the forehead, and Pillay was on field for the courageous Viren Rasquinha who, playing his 100th international, hobbled out. Pillay played for two minutes and 57 seconds.
India''s first foreign coach, Gerhard Rach, who had said two days ago that at least two players would be announcing retirement, seemed to be sending an obvious goodbye message to Pillay and Dhillon.
"I told my players that we should finish this tournament with a victory because the last impression is important," the burly Rach said. "The younger players did a good job; there was less dribbling and faster balls."
The Koreans were un-Korean. The Asian Games goldmedallists have adapted to fast-paced European hockey more than Asian behemoths India and Pakistan. Their egos seemed to hurt at having to play for 7th-8th position after being up there at No 2 in Sydney.
Gagan Ajit Singh (4th, 11th minutes) looked set for a hat-trick before setting up Vikram Pillay (15th) who pushed a deflection off the goalkeeper''s pads. The flamboyant Indian striker finished with seven goals. India finished seventh four years ago as well.