Thaindian News

Ipoh (Malaysia), May 8 (IANS) India held on Australia 1-1 in the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here Sunday.

Australia scored through Jacon Whetton in the 14th minute while Rupinder Pal Singh was again India’s saviour and converted a penalty corner to draw parity in the 20th minute.

India lost their first match against South Korea 2-3 and beat Britain 3-1 in the second match. They now play hosts Malaysia Monday and take on Asian Games champion Pakistan Wednesday.

World and Olympic champions Australia have come with an inexperienced side in the tournament with several senior players like Jamie Dwyer, Des Abbot, Rob Hammond, Mark Knowles Luke Doerner missing either due to injuries or club commitments.

The second-string Australian side kept the Indian defence under relentless pressure throughout the match with their fast paced moves and counter-attacks. Australia had routed India 0-8 in the Comonwealth Games final in Delhi in October.

India managed well to escape with a draw. Goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza again played an important role in thwarting the well-constructed moves and Dhananjay Mahadik did a good job in the defance and also made a goaline save.

Australia attacked right from the word go and got their first penalty corner in the ninth minute, but failed to convert.

Five minutes later, Whetton held on a scoop from Brent and send a flick on the run to open the scoring.

Shivendra Singh got a golden opportunity to level the score with only George Bazeley to beat, but could not make it count.

India got the equaliser through Rupinder Pal Singh, who converted their first penalty corner. Rupinder, who has shown good form in the tournament and slotted a hat-trick in India’s voctory against Britain, scored through a low drag-flick.

Immediately, Australia stepped up the pressure and got two penalty corners but Adrian was up to the task.

It was Shivendra again who missed from a close range and Australia survived the scare to go 1-1 at half-time.

Australia were again on the offensive in the second half. Adrian made a great save when he stopped Brent Dancer from scoring.

Australia dominated the proceedings, but missed their chances to take the lead. Simon Orchard missed a shot at the goal in the 50th minute. Australia forced two more penalty corners in the second session. Rupinder was shown a yellow card for a foul in the 65th minute and Australia got a penalty corner but D’Souza stood solid.

Australia, who beat Malaysia 2-1, face Pakistan Monday.