Touted as certain semi-finalists the Indian women's football team suffered a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of South Korea in their opening Group `B' league match.

Except for custodian Chintham Devi, but for whom the margin of defeat would have been twice than it was, the rest of the Indian girls just seemed to be overawed by the atmosphere at the main stadium in the Thammasat University Complex. Coach Arumainayagam said the girls just did not heed his instructions of not falling back all the time.

Riders upbeat

After disastrous performances in the 1994 Hiroshima Games and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Indian riders will be looking for a vastly improved showing in the equestrian competition to be held at Fort Adison Riding Club in the outskirts of Bangkok.

A complement of five riders will participate in three out of the five events with India giving a go-by to show jumping, which had brought them glory in the 1982 New Delhi games through both team title and individual gold wonby Raghubir Singh on his impressive mount `Shahzada'.

Amal J Singh on `Smart', Rajesh Pattu astride `Ringo', Palwinder Singh (Nector) and Imtiaz Anees riding `Sheraton' will participate in individual and team competitions of the three-day event comprising dressage, endurance and show jumping. The three-day event to be held from December 8 to 10.

Rowers eager

A 10-member squad, including two women, are looking forward to bettering their lone bronze medal haul four years ago when the canoeing and kayaking events get under way tomorrow. India, who got the bronze (c-2) in 1994 have come here after an exposure trip to Hungary. Pijush Kanti Baroi and Vega Ram have been entered for K1 500 with the latter also figuring in K1 1000. K2 500 will feature Vinod Pavithran and Karma Toppo with Premkumar Rai and Ashish Kumar teaming up in K2 1000. Subhash Sivankutty and Siji Kumar Sadanandan will participate in the C2 500 and C2 1000 events.